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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winning captains
21:48 on 27 November, 2013
making a profit is a slippery slope – before you know it you’ll be voting us down at the cqn agm on a living wage motion
Oglac
Were you ever at CP before the invented GB?
UEFA don`t do irony, we know they couldn`t take a bit of banter in Udine. It was a cert that they wouldn`t like the banner display last night. The club are fed up paying fines for banners and fireworks.
The Champions League is all about revenue. The big countries have as much as four teams, most of those are hundreds of millions in debt.
The refs are generally terrified that teams from small countries could possibly beat the big teams.
The sponsors are multi national companies( but are there because they want to be part of a football family.)
The Scottish cup final was moved to a Sunday this year.
Fair play indeed. :-) It`s all about the money.
The GB banner certainly is a distraction from much more pressing concerns. The football on show is poor, we buy striker after striker that can’t score. The season could really fizzle out if there’s not a major increase in quality. Season ticket renewals will plummet.
These are things we should be concerned about, teenagers with little sense unfurling banners of Wallace and Sands is of little consequence.
The crap on the park is the issue
not the gb
Justafan- depends on your views on the subject
The GB section will inevitably be closed, as the club attempt to mitigate any draconian actions from UEFA.
The need to box clever in our environment has eluded our intellectual-politicised fellow fans, too clever by half.
Winning Captains, I didn’t agree to contribute for free!!!!!!
I’m still waiting on the cheque!;-)
ItaliaBhoy
21:31 on
27 November, 2013
Honestly, what did last night’s display achieve?
=============================
Apart from lots of heat you mean?
How effective has it been in furthering the argument against the OBB? How many realised that was its intent?
If we remove right and wrong from the debate and replace it with what works and what does not, how does expressing views by an unacceptable means in terms of football rules actually work?
Now what if UEFA applied their rules?
“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;
What if that is the decision. Who gets the blame?
Oglach
imagine the scene .We get sevco in the cup., the brigade unfurl 2 flags 1 says FTQ other says PIRA. still buying it??? Oh before you say it Dim man it would never happen ??
Stairheed…
Well yes…and no.
Personal views are to be protected in a free world, but if you DELIBERATELY use that freedom in the near certain knowledge you will put Celtic in the uefa grubber….is there an alternative view?
Did any of you see YaYa Toure take a yellow card tonight so that he is available in the next round????
Whilst I have supported the FAC campaign – I find the GB statement and their use of ‘so-called’ political banners, a constant embarrassment to the Club and the majority of our Support.
The majority are being asked to get into line with some politically motivated ‘Wolfie Smith’ wannabes who feel it necessary to display irrelevant banners that carry as much clout as a wet lettuce leaf. Does anyone actually give their messages any credence? Let’s face it – nobody cares about their pseudo-hype apart from the Authorities, who set the rules and impose the fines – and the Club who has to pay them.
Ultras – don’t make me laugh! They carry as much weight as the ‘Tooting Popular Front’ (Parkhead Branch). Stick to leading the singing and leave the adults to get on with their attempts to resolve the World’s woes.
SOAL
Succinctly put and well said
If we had the team to collect the points and therefore the extra cash tge fine would be of little consequence.
Unfortunately the plc the players and management have failed to bring the points and money bonus that goes along with them..
Stop blaming the kids
Doc says Vive La Resolution
Is that based on the Minimum Wage, oh dear al get slaughtered fur that wan.
Awerabest PJ
ryecatcher
Don’t know enough of pmcb’s career to say so for sure but don’t think he was ever an employee as such. Don’t know if he was ever an AD.
I do have reason to believe the act itself was drafted by an employed solicitor. I doubt that’s in anyway unusual. Who would have reviewed it I don’t know about it.
smoke and mirrors
Personally I don’t see the need to do this at games. It plays in our enemies hands, it costs the club money in unnecessary fines, it makes the Green Brigade look disingenuous if they said one thing and did another. Maybe they should offer to pay the fine if this is the indeed the case?
TLWIO
PMcB was an AD ……
The question that should be asked,and answered,who brought attention of the banner to UEFA?
Burghbhoy
I am now available for after dinner speeches
LOL
Justafan
Atleast 15000 even the bootleg rangers get a crowd.
I just don’t see how republicans and socialists could vote to save the union.
Meanwhile, up a close in a Dennistoun tenement wee Lulu is rubbing her wee orange mitts as she watches CQN civil war taking hold on her 16gb iPad, singing “…and it makes me feel allllllll riggggght”
Her trusty pal and sidekick kevjungle nods in full agreement.
What eddieinkirkmichael 20:31 said ref. the banner(s). This is more about who are reporting us to EUFA and their motives than what they are reporting.
What annoyed me more than anything last night was the total lack of fight. We accepted that we were done after the first goal and let them dominate. Tactics, formations, balance, bla bla, we were not at the races last night.
I’ve never met Paul McConville, but I have spent countless hours reading his blog over the last few years. All produced for our entertainment, on his tab. Legend.
HH
smoke and mirrors
21:55 on 27 November, 2013
If it would never happen what’s the point in that comment ?
the spirit of arthur lee
21:52 on 27 November, 2013
The crap on the park is the issue
not the gb
/////////////////////////////////
AND the GB
Interesting to see the level of debate on here about a section of our own support- seems we were less fired up when being cheated by all and sundry to keep deadco alive- are we really that used to sitting at the back of the bus that we attack those who say NO
I dont necessarily agree with how the GB did it- but its about time that someone pointed out that as a support we are being treated like mugs- second class mugs at that
Winning Captains
I fear you’ve missed my point, by a long chalk.
But I’ll admit I chose my target carefully – for focus, nothing more. I didn’t infer volumes of cash made, you made that leap. I was proffering the notion of consumerism, whether it be a photo of a TIFO displayed within Celtic Park or a CQN Christmas Annual – it’s a purchase of choice not necessity.
Like a scarf seller outside Celtic Park, I’m more concerned about what that pink scarf might mean to my daughter than how much is going in the vendors pocket.
I could go on and on about this acutely missed truth. Like bands and acts who tour solely on repertoire not ability, validity or integrity…
u
Kevtic…
Suspect we’ll never find out!
Not sure what crowds FC United of Manchester get?
winning captain
Do you know if my annual has been sent,ordered about a week ago, Motherwell area
smoke and mirrors
21:55 on
27 November, 2013
Oglach
imagine the scene .We get sevco in the cup., the brigade unfurl 2 flags 1 says FTQ other says PIRA. still buying it??? Oh before you say it Dim man it would never happen ??
==
You are really very very stupid, you do realise that don’t you?
this is the one…
My view is the opposite…too much fight, too little talent
PfAyr
Would an AD be involved in reviewing or , even less likely , drafting a piece of legislation?
seems to me it’s a pretty esoteric area of work likely left to specialised civil servants.
Genuine question.
PapaJ, very good:-)
Winning Captains, I can’t disagree with that, but I don’t like this corporate censorship.
My argument isn’t anything to do with what is being said, more their right to say it.
I know it’s UEFAs competition and they set the rules, so we have to adhere.
Don’t like it though.
As for the SPFL, do they have any such rule regarding political expression, if they do I take it they don’t get along to Sevco games very often.
ulysses mcghee is praying for Oscar
Nevertheless a low blow given the very clear efforts involved. Plenty of other targets – the guy selling the scarfs outside would be selling blue ones if they still existed and were playing last night. Just in it for the money, agreed. So plenty of alternative examples available to you.
Anyway the Champions League confirmed what most knew (including our manager) the players we brought in middle to front are not as good as the two we lost – Wanyama and Hooper.
I’m annoyed with GB… Not for their banner which was harmless if mediocre in its attempt at making a political statement … I’m annoyed they have provided a welcome smokescreen for the Board to divert to and avoid explaining their lack balls to try and get a striker that has an earthly chance at the highest level .
Phone advice required. Thinking of buying a second hand iphone 4s has anybody any experience of buying a second hand iphone, good or bad?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!