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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BIG-CUP-WINNERS 22:54:
Cheers mate, have a contract but will look at Tesco, might be worth if I can get for a low price and can use the brand new one, might just wait until I have enough for new one.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Further to the response received from the Netherlands Embassy hiding behind legal processes etc as a means off no meaningful reply t thought I might see if they might offer a little more insight into their attitudes on how their police are now viewed.
Dear Sir / Madam
Thank you for your response.
I am however not asking you to comment on or influence specific legal cases.
What I am questioning is the attitude of Amsterdam Police and the relevant authorities who considered the issue of a Noodbevel appropriate to the circumstances and the conduct of Police in the various videos available online?
Is such appropriate in what claims to be a civilised country?
Are football fans considered to be a sub species where normal standards do not apply?
The legal issues regarding the court’s decisions will take care of themselves through the appeals process and those compensation claims for others which are being co-ordinated by Celtic F.C after the many complaints received by them and which it is suggested have substance.
The Celtic support which has already raised large sums to finance a drive for exposure of unacceptable behaviour by the police will not let this lie.
The reputation of the Netherlands and its actions on that night will continue to be under further scrutiny as the relevant appeals and claims are pursued and more publicity ensues.
That is the issue I am asking the Embassy to consider and comment upon.
Are you happy with the reputation your police now have?
Yours sincerely
oglach
Two named after him in France. Good forbid people hold opinions different from those expressed by the Daily Mail contingent…
THE EXILED TIM-Free the Dam 5
22:50 on
27 November, 2013
macjay1
I do.
HH
Thank you.
west wales celt
Just a few short weeks ago a blind eye was turned to bigots at
Ibrox by the state.
And some on here believe banners depicting Freedom fighters is somehow wrong.
I’m struggling to believe that.
monteblanco
22:48 on 27 November, 2013
How was what i said absurd? You have pointed to street named in his honour – fair point, and, in fairness, something I didnt know. It is clear that I am out of my depth in respect of my knowledge (or complete lack of) about Irish history. However, that doesnt mean that there isnt a large body of people who see references that appear to support a terrorist organisation as wrong
I’ve seen Ramos doing a lot of things worthy of a red card but tonight’s one dished out by Collum was a disgraceful call by the ref. I would think Madrid will make their thoughts known on his abilities – likely to have more sway in the corridors of power than Mr Dallas.
Oglach
22:44 on 27 November, 2013
gscbhoy (Just idag är jag stark – Just today, I am strong)
22:37 on
27 November, 2013
They can argue all they like about the comparison between Bobby Sands, Nelson Mandela or the Honey Monster – 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
====
Wrong many European countries hold Robert Sands in great esteem.
jeezus whats the point….lachy your European knowledge defeats me.Your statement nas as much credence as your blessed PIRA Brigade boys… night night and dont forget to put your balaclava on before you go to sleep
“The Sign”
-Eric Bogle
In the summer of last year, in a city* far from here
That stands on the shores of the fair Pacific sea
I walked it’s pleasant streets, no view in mind, no one to meet
Content to wander where my aimless feet led me
A few streets from my hotel, I passed an old stone wall
Where three words had been scrawled by an unknown hand
When I read them I stopped dead, in disbelief I shook my head
For the words on that wall read, “Free Bobby Sands”
As the sun began to fall, and the day began to die
Thought I heard the wild geese call, from a dark and empty sky
For long minutes I stood there, in that busy thoroughfare
While the past rose sharp and clear in my mind’s eye
I saw it all again, the passion, hate, and pain
The indifference and the shame as a young man died
But it was all so long ago, and who now cares or knows
Why Bobby Sands chose his lonely death?
But to the one who wrote that sign,
It seems that Bobby’s light still shines
The words rang from another time,
But the paint was fresh
As the sun began to fall, and the day began to die
Thought I heard the wild geese call, from a dark and empty sky
So I went down to the sea, to let it’s wild song comfort me
But my thoughts would not let me be, and unchecked they ran
Through my future, present, and past,
Not for the first time nor the last
I heard them ask, “Could you be the kind of man
Who would gladly sacrifice everything, even life
And put no price on a cause, or an ideal?”
No answer echoed in my heart, so I turned and I walked back
Through the twilight’s deepening dark, to my hotel.
*Auckland, New Zealand
leftclick ans hun skelper
Thank you very much. Just read it and my 22.59 verdict remains.
Judging by the posts below the GB statement, they ( GB ) don`t have much support on this one.
JJ
Bryce Curdy
A truly wonderful submission
Woops….things getting tense now…
Thought our G B debate had been spirited but respectful…
Try and keep it that way bhoys.
All opinions deserving of respect.
Except of course if they’re different from mine!!!!
smoke and mirrors
23:05 on
27 November, 2013
=
LOL Have you wandered in from FF again Stupid?
‘Free the ‘dam 5’
‘The government should do more to help kids with cancer’
‘Hail, Hail, the Celts are here!’
Who in EUFA decides which is the most political. I would suggest no-one. Does anyone think that the EUFA officials at these games are on banner-watch ? Jotting the banner words down for the EUFA Central Banner Translation Section? They will simply react to the most lobbying. In our case, the reports carried by our press.
You can argue that the Green Brigade are naive or out of order, but seriously, in who’s eyes. Should the GB even sing? (just in case)
HH
macjay1
No problem, any time >}
HH
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
23:04 on 27 November, 2013
I think you are mixing up two separate issues. I doubt anyone on this site supports anything that is sung at Poundland. I suspect the majority want the police to have the balls to enforce the law over there and jail the people who sing about being up to their knees in fenian blood, and sort out soldiers who hold up flags saying ‘keep ulster protestant’. These things are all wrong.
However, just because the huns are getting away with that doesnt allow celtic supporters to so or say what they want when they want and where they want
GSC
monteblanco
22:48 on 27 November, 2013
How was what i said absurd? You have pointed to street named in his honour – fair point, and, in fairness, something I didnt know. It is clear that I am out of my depth in respect of my knowledge (or complete lack of) about Irish history. However, that doesnt mean that there isnt a large body of people who see references that appear to support a terrorist organisation as wrong
HONESTLY MATE “terrorist organisation” I COULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU WERE A CURRANT BUN. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD “terrorist”……tell me you are a bluenose at the wind up…
Lachy
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gscbhoy (Just idag är jag stark – Just today, I am strong)
22:49 on
When did the GB once ever do or say anything racist or bigoted?
Off to bed now bhoys knowing the team are crap but the GB are the real enemy
Sweet Dreams
Leftclicktic
I know but sometimes it’s fun :-)
Mickbhoy1888
That was my nickname BEFORE that incident :-)
gscbhoy (just idag är jag stark – just today, i am strong
What is wrong with commemorating a freedom fighter ?
DeniaBhoy
Did Sergio cross himself ?
never saw the sending off as yet.
HH
b-c-w
I hold no position on this matter but are you really saying it is impossible for a, let’s say, Scottish, catholic, male, Celtic supporter to regard the IRA or some sub-set of, as ‘terrorist’?
We get horsed at celtic park and theGB are topic of conversation.
When did we start employing jack?
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
I honestly never realised how un educated some of our support were, if they are our support that is.
HH
Green brigade,
For God’s sake, grow up.
That statement seems more petulant every time I read it.
The Exiled Tim – Sergio did what every defender does when just behind a forward bearing down on goal, a wee, and I mean a wee, tug on the arm. A foul perhaps, a yellow would have been harsh and a straight red a joke.
Blantyretim…
The GB are A topic of conversation.
justafan
Any person with any morality would understand ther right of any group to defend themselves. And that principle does not come with the labels you attribute.
BT
On the button mi amigo.
How you doin btw ?
saw you saying you weren’t the may west last night.
HH
Deniabhoy…
“Bearing down on goal….”
A clear goal scoring opportunity?
Poor old William Wallace, doesn’t get much of a look in here.
Thats right, he was a shiny nice terrorist.
mickbhoy1888
We have a Dutch colleague on one of the other magazines we publish. He has been monitoring this for us all day – nothing to report.
Big cup winners:
Nail, head, thwack…
I posted at the weekend that I felt the GB had let themselves down with the banners at the sheep game particularly as the focus should have been on the Dambhoys it was their day . To then follow it up last night with another political display after promising the club they would keep it to football,strikes me as a group who now think they are bigger than the club. Interestingly this appears to be thoughts of the majority of the fans who have posted their comments after their statement, personally I think their time is up.
justafan
23:14 on 27 November, 2013
b-c-w
I hold no position on this matter ..,
Huh ? At least have the balls to back your own thoughts eh ?
b-c-w
I didn’t attribute any labels.
You didn’t answer the question.
That is your right.