Tarnished football brands, Europe recovers, Craig Gordon

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Lots of credit to the USA and Switzerland, who bowed out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion yesterday, leaving four European and four Latin American teams fighting out for the spoils.  Europe has recovered from its shaky group stage performance, keeping the door open a little longer for smaller European nations.

While plaudits for a fine tournament will be spread far and wide, the tournament has not provided a breakthrough credit for Africa, Asia, or the USA, none of whom will find the going any easier when the bandwagon reaches Eastern Europe four years from now.

Surprised it’s taken this long to get a deal sorted for Craig Gordon.  Considering the player’s lengthy injury history, Celtic have perhaps delayed to allow fitness tests over an extended period.  I’m treating tabloid comment that the potential arrival of Craig is linked to Fraser Forster moving on as idle mischief.  We need three keepers and usually have three, as do most top clubs.

So, a day after Luis Suarez issues a heartfelt mea culpa, Barcelona let it be known they are in talks with Liverpool over acquiring the player.  He is without question one of the most gifted players of our time but the phrase “transparent charlatan” seems appropriate.  Brand Barca is slowly slipping, with tax scams, directorial bungs and contrived contrition.

His actions caused enough dissonance on Merseyside to damage brand Liverpool, he’ll win Barcelona football games but stands a high probability of doing the same in Catalonia.  The commitment to reform is meaningless, as he is not in a position to make good on it.  Yet.

Barcelona led the way on establishing an ethical, aspirational, football brand.  I think they’ve forgotten what I’m hoping we learn.

The 10-in-a-row CQN Charity Golf Day takes place at the magnificent Aberdour course on Friday.  This year we will hear from Celtic legend, Frank McGarvey, and former Glasgow lawyer after dinner specialist, Len Murray.


This year we are raising money for Glasgow the Caring City and The Cookiejar Foundation.  We have two copies of this magnificent canvas, signed by Billy McNeill, one is available to the highest bidder on ebay here.

The other is available for raffle.  Every donor to this JustGiving page gets an entry in the raffle.  The minimum donation is £1, which we can all afford to participate in, although you can donate as much as you want.  Our thanks to @BarryMcGonigle for the image on the canvas and OPG Graphics for creating the work.

Glasgow the Caring City said, “Glasgow the Caring City is Glasgow’s people’s charity.  As well as working with the underprivileged in our own city the charity has delivered literally millions of pounds of overseas aid and development gifts-in-kind on a shoestring budget.

“From educational supplies to soap and medicines, from tents and warm clothes to prescription glasses.  We once delivered a donated fire truck! Having provided emergency relief to war, famine, flood and earthquake victims in the past the charity would love to take this relatively quiet time in terms of world emergency to invest in its development projects, taking children out of war and teaching them in agricultural sustainability projects.

“The support of the CQN community has always been received with huge gratitude, thank you once again for supporting us this year.”  Rev Neil Galbraith.

The Cookiejar Foundation was set up in memory of Christopher Coutts who died from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 19.  Money raised from this raffle will go towards the Cookiejar’s providing of vein finders for the Chemotherapy wards at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy & cancer wards in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.

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555 Comments

  1. itscalledthemalvinas on

    ernie lynch

     

     

    Hold it right there ernie I’m supposed to say that in two minutes

     

    stealingmythunderCSC

     

     

    Afraid that’s game set and match for me, I’m off out for a pint !

  2. itscalledthemalvinas

     

     

    I think you misrepresent Andy Murray’s views. He was embarrassed that Alex Salmond tried to make political capital, in David Cameron’s presence, of his victory last year. That is what embarrassed him, not the Saltire itself.

  3. itscalledthemalvinas @ 20.16

     

     

    “It was Andy who brought the politics into it. I read his quote about being embarrassed by the saltire being flown at his victory last year. Surely a true Scotsman would be happy to see the flag of his country at his greatest sporting moment ?”

     

    ————————————————

     

     

    Even if Andy proved he was a true Scotsman by playing in a kilt he would still be embarrassed.

     

     

    It was not the time or the place for pathetic gesture politics. It fooled no one.

     

     

    HH to you.

  4. !!Bada Bing!! on

    coolmore mafia

     

     

    20:01 on 2 July, 2014

     

     

    itscalledthemalvinas

     

    19:42 on

     

    2 July, 2014

     

    Loved seeing Andy getting pumped today as it fair sickened the butchers apron mob who went to watch him !

     

     

    ========

     

     

    You love seeing Scotland’s greatest sportsman by a country mile, who has dedicated his life to the sport to become what he is today, bringing joy and pride to millions of people, being beaten because English people in England who’d like him to win went to watch him?

     

     

    Beat me to it

  5. itscalledthemalvinas on

    ipaddymccourt

     

     

    Wow, sounds as if you have led a sheltered life.

  6. Don’t mind signing Craig Gordon. Smashing keeper , probably best in UK for a spell .

     

    Hope he can prove his fitness .

     

    If so he will be an asset.

     

    In light of Athletico Madrids supposed interest in Fraser, does anyone else fear Craig may be forced to sink or swim maybe a bit quicker than he anticipated?

     

    Not fair on both the player and support if so imo

  7. derbyshirebhoy

     

     

    20:17 on

     

    2 July, 2014

     

     

    itscalledthemalvinas

     

    19:42 on

     

    2 July, 2014

     

     

    Loved seeing Andy getting pumped today as it fair sickened the butchers apron mob who went to watch him !

     

     

    ========

     

     

    What a sad bigoted post. I wonder how many hundred years it will take you to understand that the English people were never anyone’s enemy. The true enemy in every society as always are the power brokers who set one against another for their own benefit.

     

     

    itscalledthemalvinas

     

     

    20:24 on

     

    2 July, 2014

     

     

    derbyshirebhoy

     

     

    So if you can see through the power brokers, why can’t ordinary English people do the same ?

     

     

    ==========================================================

     

     

    The question is why the Scots who are chasing ‘independence’ can’t see it.

  8. Sure everyone will enjoy Aberdour….I did the one and only time I played there.

     

     

    ‘Magnificent’ is stretching it a wee bit as an adjective ……but it is a very good course.

     

     

    Celtic fans and Catholics on Scottish golf courses………who’d a thunk it,ey?

     

     

    They’ll be letting us play bowls next ……..

     

     

    Move along the bus Bhoys…….They WERE the people!!

  9. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Evening bhoys….

     

    had a wee lurk today, not much changed I see.

  10. leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon

     

     

    Got your mail today but my wee mac flagged up the link as very unsafe so I didnae open it!

     

     

    Hope yer well Big Chap..

  11. TheBarcaMole on

    ‘a true Scotsman’… Eh! Really, whit’s wan ae them when they are at hame? TBM

  12. Been a while since I posted which is no doubt a blessing to many of you.

     

     

    I am hearing very worrying things about celtic and it’s obsession with money and Moneyball. Also why NL left.

     

     

    Craig Gordon signing. A sign of worse to come.

     

     

    Celtic. Aspiring to mediocrity again.

  13. Just asking like……

     

     

    Did ‘We are The People’ chant not originate at Parkhead in the 40s/50s and Deadclub fans stole it?

     

     

    Got a nagging thought my Granda told me this.

  14. johann murdoch on

    Neganon2

     

     

    Hmmm it’s easy to come on here and spread conjecture- care to elaborate?

     

    Hh

  15. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    BT

     

     

    no change atol ;)

     

     

    How was the holiday

  16. ryecatcher

     

     

    I may be wrong but I thought the ‘ We are the people ‘ thing was coined by John Knox to emphasise the superiority of the Protestant faith.

     

     

    Not sure about it being used by Celtic punters of yesteryear

  17. Can anyone confirm if ‘ The Celtic song ‘ as sung by Glen Daly was originally a Belfast Celtic song , adopted by us after Glen heard a version of it sung by Charlie Tully?

  18. lilys grandpa

     

     

    The message was the thing and she was on such a high that I restrained myself.

     

     

    HH

  19. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Tbj

     

    great time had by all, lost flipping phone yesterday so waiting on new sim card.

     

     

    speacial thanks to googybhoy for taxi duties..

  20. Craig Gordon fully fit is every bit as good as FF, and would do a great job for Celtic.

     

     

    We gotta trust the medics I suppose.

     

     

    Great keeper in his pomp

     

     

    9 million quid was a lot of money for a goalie

     

     

    Champions League Quality if he even rediscovers 90% of his mojo.

  21. TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels on

    BT

     

     

    you still had one of them flipping phones ? Get yourself a smart phone :)

     

     

    I thought you were away two weeks

  22. TheBarcaMole on

    BT, good to hear that you and yours enjoyed the break… Regards & Hail Hail… TBM

  23. Paul67…..

     

     

    Boughera whoring himself for a move to the EPL…….surely you jest?

     

     

    The highest level he could play would be Championship in Scotland these days. He would have made Izzy look like Roberto Carlos at this World Cup.

     

     

    Asian nations ineffective at next World Cup in Russia?……hmmmmm….I’m not so sure about that either.

     

     

    Anyway, Argentina will win this one………no doubt in my mind.

  24. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Celtic Collectibles tweeted on Etims last night to see if anyone in Celtic cyber space has a contact for Pat Stanton. They would to speak to or e mail him I assume.

     

     

    As things are a bit quiet, who do posters think was, in their opinion, the most underrated player who played for us.

     

     

    Mine is Billy Stark or as some guys who used to stand next us at games called him, Casper as he would ghost into the penalty box at the back post. Very skilful and intelligent footballer. Him scoring against the now defunct club the day Souness was sent off is only a coincidence of course.

     

     

    I may be wrong but I’m sure some posters who went to games in the fifties and sixties will say Charlie Gallagher, who supplied the crosses for two of our most important goals v Dunfermline & Vojvodina (spelling).

  25. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Tbj

     

    going to Greece later in year…

     

    tbm

     

    back in club Saturday if still open due to invasion of zombies in town this weekend..

  26. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s, if you are about. How isyour mammy doing?

  27. Neganon….

     

     

    Agreed ,Celtic Plc do aspire to mediocrity

     

     

    It is a race to the bottom.

     

     

    Craig Gordon is a brilliant keeper when fit.

     

     

    If we get lucky with him for a couple of seasons then Lawell will punt him and count the dosh.

     

     

    I will settle for him just to get fit and be a great Celtic keeper for a couple of seasons.

  28. dallas dallas where the heck is dallas

     

     

    Aye Charlie Gallacher, great crosser and dead ball striker of the ball . Don’t believe he got the recognition he deserved. Was there that night against Vojvodina, magic and great memories.

  29. Dallas Dallas….

     

     

    Most under rated player ever at Celtic was John Luggy Clark.

  30. Thunder Road on

    The wait is almost over.

     

     

    The Tic are back in action tomorrow and that game is the 1st of 4 in just 8 days.

     

     

    I always look forward to see how things are shaping up in these games, but there is an extra spice this time.

     

     

    What changes are about to take place??????????

  31. Dallas Dallas,

     

     

    I would say Charlie Gallagher but, as many on here will know already, he is my all time favourite player. Charlie was so good (and important to the team) that when wee Bertie was injured for a time. Charlie, who stood in for him, was substituted as soon as we were 2 or 3 up, to make sure he wasn’t injured. All Charlie lacked was guile. Wee Bertie had that in spades.