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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Oglach
22:44 on 27 November, 2013
Every night is an education on CQN. What countries do you know hold Bobby Sands in great esteem? Does this esteem extend to the IRA?
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Paul McConville.
His blog was insightful and knowledgeable, and always of interest.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.
May you Rest In Peace Paul.
gscbhoy (Just idag är jag stark – Just today, I am strong)
22:37 on
It’s all our home and we pay for it’s upkeep
Paddy G
How are you.? Is that ur yacht parked up for the winter? <:0)
Oglach,
I doubt he is well known at all. There’s a Bobby Sands Road in Iran, but I’d hardly shout that one from the rooftops…
Regardless, he is an intensely political figure, and UEFA have warned the Club against political displays. The Club sought assurances from the GB on this. Seems like the GB lied to the Club.
Hardly honourable behaviour, regardless of which “hero” you are trying to get us all to worship.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
22:19 on 27 November, 2013
After Killie I thought it was Baw Face ;-)
What was offensive about the banner ?
gscbhoy
‘the outside world see only that Bobby Sands was part of an organisation that was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. They neither see nor care about the reasons behind the deaths and, frankly, why would they’
where would ye even start with that? How many streets were named after him around the world? I think your statement is absurd mate.
T4
I personally wouldn’t have done it at a CL game, but having read the vomit inducing guff on here I’m beginning to change my mind. I don’t think the GB have the ability to challenge Uefa/SNP/PLC and win. I don’t think they should simply accept it either. There is a helluva lot wrong in the beautiful game, ignoring it or walking away seems just as bad to me.
Sinister.CSC
Every Celtic fans knows that the MSM and SFA are always on the lookout for any chance to cause grief for Celtic. So why give them food?
Any action which anyone with a brain knows will be highlighted and blown out of all proportion by the MSM should be avoided.
We know that Sevco get away with far, far worse. Yes, that’s true. But it cannot be used for justification for poor choices by Celtic fans.
The actions of the fans need to be in support of the club. That’s what ‘supporters’ do.
Leave the political stuff at home. Celtic Park is not a platform for some personal, political campaign.
The actions of a small group of fans is tarnishing the reputation of the fans as a whole and the club they claim to support.
Yes, the GB do bring some positives to the games. But don’t think for one minute that this merits a licence to act as you please. You need to act responsibly.
Sadly, I don’t see any other choice now than to follow through with the closure of that section of the ground.
Warned, warned again and again.
The club placed their trust in the supporters group to ‘police’ their own actions.
That trust has been let down.
GB supporters warn PL to think very carefully in deciding his next actions. Yet, these actions are triggered by a group of fans who seem to give little thought to the consequences of their own actions.
I doubt there will be much sympathy towards the GB after this latest embarrassment to the club and the Celtic fans in general.
Greenpinata
22:37 on 27 November, 2013
“To maximise all opportunities to disassociate the Club from sectarianism and bigotry of any kind. To promote Celtic as a Club for all people, regardless of sex, age, religion, race or ability.”
This I believe is not compatible with the divisive political agenda last night.’
####
A significant number of Celtic supporters would have supported physical force republicanism, which let’s be honest, is not exactly an concept that’s alien to the heritage of the club.
The thing about being inclusive cuts both ways.
minx
£28,000 +. That is truly fantastic. Fighting against a current injustice is much more worthwhile ( and honest) than posturing against historical crimes.
JJ
Italiabhoy
If Scotland were to apply from ‘without’ – what would stop their inclusion?
And you forgot to add that the Catalans are going ahead with their referendum anyway.
Sometimes a great notion…
U
eddieinkirkmichael
22:46 on 27 November, 2013
Fair comment, but does that mean the GB, or anyone else, can do whatever they want just because they are paying for season tickets or buying from the superstore?
My children now pay keep to their mum but if they came out with racist or bigoted crap in my, sorry, our house, they would be out
macjay1
I do.
HH
very sad news
my condolences to the McConville family. May he rest in peace.
BB
Anything that comes out UEFA has Dallas’s prints all over it. imo
Showed re Brown ban.
Jungle Jim
22:38 on 27 November, 2013
Anyone got a link to the Green Brigade statement?
I will paraphrase the statement “F—k you Celtic ,
Italiabhoy….
I understand the point your making but if your talking Realpolitik what was the Spanish position when czechs and Slovaks split?
Similarly it is interesting the Spanish have been noising up the UK regarding Gibraltar.
Your correct about concerns they have internally but as the above show Realpolitik tends to not be about sound bites!
I think the club will either close the GB section or offer dispersal.
Whether the GB is there or not won’t stop me supporting Celtic. I did it before they existed and, if I live long enough, will do it after they’ve gone.
I like some of their stuff (Glasgow’s g&w, can’t get enough, etc), but to be honest they are so last year. It is getting a bit boring. In fact I cringe when they attempt to sing something different from the rest of the support. That is just pathetic and childish.It is the terracing equivalent of a “selfie”. Probably it is my problem, not theirs.
I think if (or more likely when) they go the atmosphere will disappear for a wee while, but eventually the it will come back. Currently the stadium waits for the GB to get things going. That is a novelty. Historically most of the fans get behind the team and the stadium rocks. I have witnessed that for 50 years.
I like the GB. I sit close to them, but I think their recent stuff has been pretty poor and screams to me that their innovation has gone and that their days are numbered. They did really well for a few years and I thank them for that. They either need to reinvent themselves or they need to go.
Regretfully, I think their legacy will be that there won’t be a standing section at Celtic Park.
Smoke & mirrors…
:-D
lennybhoy
Re iPhone 4S. Think you should consider getting one on a 2 year contract from Tesco starts at £2. youll get a new phone reasonable data (if you have wifi ) and calls. Buying a second hand model is about £150 plus about £10-£15 a month for a sim only. If you buy second hand make sure it’s unlocked and not Jailbroke, as this could affect future updates.
smoke and mirrors
Succinct………but I would still like to see the statement 0:-) Anyone?
JJ
Minx1888, didn’t think Dim Tim could count that high:-)
Tremendous total, well done to all involved.
SomecomediansurrnaefunnyCSC
Ulysses (21:29)
Same old, same old in the main. Cooper was our 2nd dog. We have a 17 month old golden retriever as well. Missing anything new from our mutual favourite author (JE) but have a few recommendations for you as our tastes are similar. All well with you? Still laugh about the time I was replying to you on the blog when my wife asked what I was doing. Her reply, ‘who the f*** is Useless McGhee’ is an all time classic! Take care amigo.
whether you agree with the display or not – one thing is clear – it has certainly allowed some on here to let their mask slip and show their true colours
Jungle Jim
Green Brigade statement http://bit.ly/1cOqKrQ .
Benny bhe…
I think you’re on the mark!
jungle jim
22:54 on 27 November, 2013
It’s on page 12 or 13 mate
ulysses mcghee is praying for Oscar
22:49 on 27 November, 2013
‘If Scotland were to apply from ‘without’ – what would stop their inclusion?’
###
Presumably Scotland would be allowed to enter on the usual conditions, like having the Euro.
Charles kick…
“….their true colours….”
Meaning?
gscbhoy (Just idag är jag stark – Just today, I am strong)
22:46 on
27 November, 2013
Oglach
22:44 on 27 November, 2013
Every night is an education on CQN. What countries do you know hold Bobby Sands in great esteem? Does this esteem extend to the IRA?
====
Now as far as I am aware Robert Sand has had streets named after him In several European countries as well as Iran (I believe), In fact a city in Italy recently named a street in his street honour. The Great Nelson Mandela was inspired by Sands but god forbid the GB put his likeness on a banner. Oh dearie me
Anyone got am email address for the SFA ???
We are in a fight we can never win, unless we are united, and the hun are doing a wonderful job of dividing us, they are laughing up their jacksies at out infighting.
Banners, feck them, they are nothing, they are a distraction, the game is cheating us, they are stealing from us, the referees do it week in week out, and we are arguing about a feckin banner, get a feckin grip bhoys.
HH
My own reaction is that I have found some GB displays fantastic. Some average. Some failures. Tuesday`s falls into the latter category.
JJ
Haven’t seen the banner but the reaction by some seems especially ferocious.
If we’re fined for banners commemorating an MP (as I understand it from the posts) how long before we are condemned for other ‘unacceptable’ banners; Che? Palestinian flags? And where does it end? Will the tricolour be deemed offensive?
Meanwhile the celebration of establishment political causes is officially sanctioned. Only anti-establishment politics is unacceptable and should be kept out of football, the natural home of poppies, celebrations of the British Army and associated bigotry.
Keep politics out of football? Yeah that’ll be right…
I would just like to quosh any rumours that now he has been booted out of the Italian parliament for tax fraud, Silvio Belusconi is not interested in a place on the board at Sevco.
Silvio was apparently quoted as stating:
“Ci sono profondità a cui io non chinarsi.”
We are closer to being Hibs than I thought.
Jungle jim
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.