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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TD
Right so really you know hee haw about the GB like to claim that you do. Have I got that right?
ipaddy mccourt supports wee oscar
Personally I find not paying someone a Living Wage offensive.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
20:41 on
27 November, 2013
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
Rules that are wrong need to be challenged.
Couldn`t agree more.
The dispute is simply how to achieve that purpose.
Unquestionably NOT how the Celtic trust and their surrogates in the G.B. are going about it.
Monteblanco, get a grip, seriously. Your twisted logic is cringeworthy
Here is what UEFA Disciplinary Article 14 says in relation to the latest banner debate. Note the potential punishment. Who has the authority to risk the club to theses disciplinary measures?
All forms of ideological, political and religious propaganda are forbidden. If this provision is breached, paragraphs 1 to 6 above apply by analogy.
Paras 1 to 6 say
1 Any person under the scope of Article 3 who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons by whatever means, including on the grounds of skin colour, race, religion or ethnic origin, incurs a suspension lasting at least ten matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction.
2 If one or more of a member association or club’s supporters engage in the behaviour described in paragraph 1, the member association or club responsible is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure.
3 The following disciplinary measures apply in the event of recidivism :
a) a second offence is punished with one match played behind closed doors and a fine of € 50,000;
b) any subsequent offence is punished with more than one match behind closed doors, a stadium closure, the forfeiting of a match, the deduction of points or disqualification from the competition.
4 If the circumstances of the case require it, the competent disciplinary body may impose additional disciplinary measures on the member association or club responsible, such as the playing of one or more matches behind closed doors, a stadium closure, the forfeiting of a match, the deduction of points or disqualification from the competition.
5 If the match is suspended by the referee because of racist and/or discriminatory conduct, the match may be declared forfeit.
BT
Very good!!! :-)
was at the game last night, a little disappointed about the result, although not overly surprised. don’t think 0-3 reflected the overall game. we missed way to many chances.
even so, I will never understand what lenny see’s in forrest, he’s worse than a man down in just about every big game. CM is never a centre mid, again he gave away the ball to easily and just like the ajax game he cost us big time. his delivery was piss poor all night.
would like lenny to begin rebuilding the first team for European footballl for next season, over the coming months so if any of foster, ledley or Sammy don’t want to stay then get them away asap and get our team sorted for next season. surely its time to give balde a run in the team to get him up to speed so we can see what he’s got, 10 and 15 minutes here and there is less than useless.
monteblanco
Was thinking what to say, and you have said it much better than I could have.
HH
Regarding the banner….
SPFL and the Board would be consistent if they made reference to signing about paedophilia and the murder of Catholics and did something about that.
I believe that the GB have caused trust to break down and they are losing chunks of the support.
Kikinthenakas
Auldheid.
Whilst I agree it is disappointing Celtic will more likely get another fine from UEFA, the most sinister aspect of the whole thing is that it has provoked a statement from Peter Lawwell saying any form of political expression and the supporter will be banned.
Is this the board who have said they oppose the Bill ? Are they really saying that you can oppose the bill but tell no one about it at Celtic Park? Would Sir Robert Kelly’s position on flying the tricolour at Paradise be now deemed as a banning offence??
Who determines what is political ?
My god what have we come to?
The living wage for workers is a political campaign.
Is Peter really saying that if someone flew a banner at Paradise in support of it, they would receive a ban?
Truly shocking
onydonnelly67
20:44 on 27 November, 2013
‘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,’
###
The Green Brigade are actually controlled by a shadowy Russian anarchist known as Peter the Painter.
That’s probably why their graphics are so good.
You don’t think it could be someone at Hamdump who tipped UEFA about the banner.Do you?
LetthepeoplesingCSC
eddieinkirkmichael
20:31 on 27 November, 2013
Some good points.
However Let the People Sing is not a Celtic song per se. It’s a song about resistance against oppression.
Sadly it would appear that many sing it purely because they like the tune.
jimmci
20:33 on
27 November, 2013
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.
==========================
I hope they do raise the issue and warn RIFC that their poppy day displays breach SPFL rules.
Had enough, night all
Just a thought how many of the GBrs are allowed by their Mammys and Daddy’s to display political banners in their front living room windaes and how would it be dealt with at their school assemblies. Tacit approval I don’t think
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
20:44 on
27 November, 2013
TD
Right so really you know hee haw about the GB like to claim that you do. Have I got that right?
ipaddy mccourt supports wee oscar
Personally I find not paying someone a Living Wage offensive.
Now is that only for employees of Celtic F.C.?
Which other organisations have you investigated? AberdeenF.C.? Hearts F.C.?
The local supermarket?
Or is your offence selective?
Hamiltontim
Let’s just say I know enough to say they have ran there course and time they moved on, and if it means you and the few on here go with them then so be it, no harm to you, try another avenue, as you can see on here we have had enough of them, sling yer hook. Your NOT wanted, or they are not wanted, your choice.
Unbelievable coverage of the banners displayed at Celtic Park yesterday. Incredible worldwide coverage on the Internet and in the media.
Why did they have a banner like that? Just uneducated? Have you got time to re-educate them? I’ve not.
Makes you wonder what’s in their heads. If anything.
On another front, how much do we need a midfielder who can make a pass – or better still, one who can be an outlet- who can hold onto the ball when we are under the cosh?
Nakamura. Lubo. Paul McStay come to mind.
Know we need a striker too, but one thing at a time.
I heard Neil Lennon say we were short on quality. Quality? If we ever get some quality (Wanyama) we sell it. So how can we have both quality and sell it at the same time. Is there a rush to buy Stokes? Do the top teams not want him? Well if they don’t want him then I don’t want him either! (For Celtic)
I want celtic to have quality players in every position. I picked Stokes as an example, it could have been one of a dozen. We talk about our ‘business model’ – bringing in good players and developing them and selling at a profit, that’s fine – but it seems after 3 good games by any player and the board are sitting with a semi. What’s the rush all the time? Someone on a 5 year deal with a years option can be here for 3-4 seasons easily.
Build a team- let them play. Stop building from scratch every June.
Close 111.
Parkheadcumsalford who is supporting the Amsterdam 5
20:32 on
27 November, 2013
Sir
You can indeed go back further than me, but if the stories
my dear old dad told me are true the hayshed was no place
for the faint hearted………….Charlie Tully, Sammy Cox, can
you recall, if so would be greatly appreciated.
CFC must chase any complaints from the SPL …..that is unless political banners are banned in their competition ….
IMO …Hun troublemaking ….might even have been started in house…
iPaddy
good reply, balanced and water tight, ye have me clamped!
cheers :)))
tonydonnelly67 @20;52
I’ve seen some drivel on here, but you Sir have just raised the bar.
Auldheid
I would argue that none of the principles of the UEFA were breached last night.
Is a national flag offensive? To some it is.
Is a national anthem offensive ? To some it is.
Does that mean the guys at the USA World Cup in 84 displaying bible quotes on placards would be banned at Celtic Park now ?
As far as I can see the only people that would be offended last night are anti irish bigots
Deary me, a group which had European football salivating over their display against Barcelona to highlight our 125th anniversary are now referred to in the same words used to describe the Hun animals if the past by a Scottish journalist.
We are losing our identity and selling our ethos for crumbs from UEFA’s table.
Sorry World Cup 94
Papa John
They mentioned in commentary….this referee was officiating at …….Dundee v Partick Thistle at the weekend.
Insinuating that he shouldnt have the gig.
tonydonnelly67
‘as you can see on here we have had enough of them, sling yer hook.’
you tell ’em tony!! grrrrr
tonydonnelly67
20:52 on 27 November, 2013
oh dear – tony – I think you better practice your playground arguments
tonydonnelly67
Your 20:52 rubbish is outrageous. Who put you in charge ?
So the debate has moved on to a GB debate?
I had another read of the leader on this thread, I must have missed the “valiant” part of the capitulation, we were whipped.
Anyway , the GB are a sideshow….the real battle is for the soul of our club. the future is in rearing real players and the support will follow, I remember getting all excited about 42,000 for a visit of Aberdeen in the 80`s , it is all relative.
I despair when I see wee laddies holding up banners or pontificating about an armed struggle. I do believe, although I am not in posession of evidence ,that there is a group of malcontents who are using the wee lads in the GB to spread their message. If that sounds contrary, show me evidence to dissuade me…I am not happy that we are out of Europe , I hoped for a EL distaction from the hell of the SPL. It is not to be, so the next task is to support the players on Sunday.
They are not bad players nor are they great players,although a few have real potential to be very good. Above all, they will be wearing Celtic shirts and that demands our support. There are plenty out there desperate to see us lose on Sunday…the cracked crests are just 90 minutes away.
Stick with the team, what else do we have? the nightmare of that lot playing us in league games is coming very soon and I for one will not be happy about that. Lets get a double done and plan for the real big games next July.
“WE HAVE DREAMS AND SONGS TO SING”
Tonydonnelly
What’s …” The university crowd”?
Really unsure of who you speak
Burghbhoy
20:49 on
27 November, 2013
When you say sinister I take it you mean coming from darkness with malevolent intent?
Well at least I know who PL is and the extent of his authority and responsibility.
What I do not know is who authorised this display if they had already had discussions with Celtic and the nature of banners?
Who decided to put the other Celtic supporters at the risk of missing our next CL game (hopefully next season) if UEFA make it a closed doors affair?
Who carries the can for that?
PL for being too trustworthy?
At least with the CST or the CSA I know who they are and what their agenda is. With the GB the word sinister applies.
Gary Neville dissing the Bundesliga because Man Utd are winning ‘away’
Macjay
I find not paying anyone a Living Wage to be offensive it’s not limited purely to Celtic.
Green brigade statement …
As a member of Fans Against Criminalisation the Green Brigade are fully committed to highlighting, challenging and tackling the systemised campaign of criminalisation and harassment – orchestrated by the Scottish Government and implemented by Police Scotland – against the Celtic support.
At the risk of covering old ground, the Scottish Government are responsible for drafting and implementing a ridiculous piece of legislation which, through their own admission, aims to make the arrest figures between both sides of the Glasgow divide even – regardless of the act or crime in question. In practice, for the Celtic support this has resulted in expressions of Irish identity, culture and politics being deemed illegal.
One prominent example is the criminalisation of the song ‘Roll of Honour’ which is a lament commemorating ten Irish martyrs who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh in 1981. These men died primarily fighting the criminalisation of themselves and their struggle in a bid to be recognised as political prisoners. Now, in Scotland, it is deemed illegal to remember and honour their sacrifice. The number of fans being charged for doing so continually rises as Police Scotland continues to film and harass our support at every turn.
On Saturday 23rd November we highlighted the sheer hypocrisy of the legislation with a simple banner display. On the 10th minute and 81st minute a banner of the letter H was unveiled while ‘Roll of Honour’ was sung. Alongside this banner appeared two further banners containing the following lyric from the Scottish national anthem: ‘they fought and died for; their wee bit hill and glen’.
Similarly, on Tuesday 26th November we unveiled another banner display to further our point and emphasise the Scottish Government’s hypocrisy. At this match two banners depicting a Scottish and an Irish freedom fighter were shown along with the slogan: ‘the terrorist or the dreamer; the savage of the brave? Depends whose vote you’re trying to catch or whose face you’re trying to save’. The statement being made was that it is both hypocritical and discriminatory to celebrate the Scottish nationalist struggle while criminalising the Irish nationalist struggle. Ultimately, due to the subjective nature of what anyone may deem ‘offensive’, it is both dangerous and absurd to create a law based upon offensiveness.
The Green Brigade are disappointed by the statement made by Celtic Football Club in regards to this incident. The Club’s statement claims that we assured them that our display would be purely football related but that in fact it had nothing to do with football. In reality however what was assured to them was that our plans were completely relative to Celtic and indeed football. Given that it is Celtic fans who are filling up prison cells and court rooms because of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, and the manner in which it criminalises legitimate expression of political opinion, this display could not have been more relevant in the current context. The fans are the lifeblood of any football club and to deem fan issues as irrelevant is frankly disgraceful.
While we understand and sympathise fully with fans who may disagree with the timing of last night’s display we are honest enough to admit that the timing was of no coincidence. This act has been in place for over 18 months yet the club have offered next to no support to the fans on this matter. As a group we were told that Celtic Football Club would publicly support the fans on this issue. Regrettably, this has not transpired in spite of the fact that public pressure could have had a telling impact on the Justice Committee as they discussed the possibility of an early review of the act.
It is our opinion that the level of apathy from Celtic PLC towards the criminalisation of their supporters is unforgivable. We find their accusation of the Green Brigade disrespecting the club to be completely ironic and totally laughable when we consider the level of disrespect they have repeatedly shown to their supporters for far too long – never mind the desecrating of our Club’s proud history and values with the firm objection to implementing the ‘living wage’.
Whilst the Club may wish to wash their hands of pressing fan issues we will not falter in our attempts to challenge the injustice of this legislation nor how Police Scotland implements it. As the number of Celtic fans banned from games continues to grow and the court cases and all additional baggage piles up we will stand by them, we will stand with the Celtic support and as always we will defend our right to cultural and political expression.
Until the last rebel
Hope that explains the banners
Green Brigade was always a fun, noisy colourful spectacle that brightened up the dullest of games .Seemingly mostly populated by younger fans who created a party atmosphere.
(The “Scotlands Shame” banner with the arrow is one of the funnies things I have seen at a football ground.)
This self assumed psuedo political voice of the people mandate just doesn’t sit well and is a bit cringeworthy .
Aye, we are a mixed bag right enough.
From the rhebel to the forelock tugger.
HH