PT Barnum may have been right 150 years ago, but The Greatest Show on Earth these days gets underway this afternoon, despite the shameful corruption displayed by Fifa. By comparison, the Olympics is a sideshow. My first experience of the World Cup was watching Scotland play Zaire in 1974. For 20-odd years the tournament had participation value for Scotland, even if the joy of being there was short lived.
These days the joy is all about being a neutral football fan and soaking up the drama and brilliance from the game.
Statistically it is difficult to look past Brazil, who will benefit enormously from home advantage. European teams have never won the tournament in the Americans, where Brazil and Argentina have won every competition since Uruguay triumphed in the last time the tournament was held in Brazil 64 years ago.
Leo Time
Lionel Messi was, until recent times, the undisputed best player on the planet, but his position in the all-time greatest list is in considerable dispute. Ask an older Barcelona fan, who has watched Cruyff, Maradona Ronaldo and Messi all do their stuff at the Camp Nou, and they are likely to tell you Leo is by far the better player. His stats as a striker bear this out, but ask an Argentinean, and he’ll scarcely get a mention in the same breath as Diego. There is not even a debate that Messi is the greatest Argentine.
After giving a spectacular display of goal-scoring prowess in 1982, then 25-year-old Diego Maradona singlehandedly led Argentina to their second World Cup in 1986 and back to the final four years later. By Comparison, 26-year-old Messi has looked comparatively pedestrian in his two previous tournaments. He’ll be 30 by the time of the next tournament, which will be held in the completely different environment of Russia. If Messi is to be considered an all-time great, he needs to take Argentina to the final. If his career ends without an outstanding World Cup, he’ll slip somewhere between Eusabio and Cruyff in the list.
I’d like Belgium to win. Belgian clubs and FA go about their business correctly and brought a remarkable bounty of talent to Brazil. It’s always been easy to back Brazil but I’m still not over the Neymar thing. The guy is an abomination in the Brazil No. 10 shirt, a vastly over-rated charlatan. Anyone but Neymar, please.
Bertie Auld live chat, tomorrow, 1pm, on CQN. Be there.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.
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pfayr
That is what we’re up against .
Portillo’s Father Was Never A ‘Vet’…
Just A Very Silly Boy…
Who Became An Asylum Seeker….
All Of His Brothers…
Were Staunch Supporters Of General Franco….
V. Interesting Documentary On BBC Last Year…
When He Visited His Old Family Home In Spain…
And His Uncle Set Him Straight On The Actions Of The Republicans In Their Own Town…
Before The Outbreak Of War…
He Gave Portillo Jnr Pelters….
Never Seen Him Look So Shell-Shocked…
Since He Lost His Seat In ’97…
Still….Laughin’
the singing detective demands the resignation of campbell ogilvie
00:14 on 13 June, 2014
That’s the great thing about democracy
You can use tax dollars to kill
The Colombians would have had a fantastic chance to win this WC if they were not hit with so many call offs to very good players.
After watching tonight, there is no way Brazil will win, IMO.
There won’t be a better time for a European team to win for the first time, if Scolari starts more of the players excelling in the Brazillian Liga do Brasil, hungry players that obviously have talent but are not in Europe, yet, then maybe Brazil will make an impact after they have been helped out the Group Stages.
Argentina should win it.
The Group stages farce should be ignored as a proper sporting contest, in the main.
The Singing Detective Demands The Resignation Of Campbell Ogilvie
00:25 on
13 June, 2014
This may well be the program you are referring to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAu2UCzPdns
Night Night Timland.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
My Dear Macjay…
I’ve Also Seen That Programme…
But It’s Not The Same One…
Here’s A Wee Video About Britain’s Greatest Pilot….
Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gmY-YUWGKWY&fulldescription=1&hl=en-GB&gl=ZA&client=mv-google&guid=
Any chance of a “Gavin Gunning snubs Rangers”in todays papers.No?.
I am really astonished.
Gotta Go..Joe !
God Bless Her Majesty’s..
I enjoyed reading this and I am hopeful that the Senior Players will get us through into the Champions League, again.
From the Daily Record.
DEVOTED dad Ronny Deila already has twin teenage daughters in his care.
But the Norwegian has joked there is now another family member he needs to care for.
She’s 126 years old and called Celtic.
The new Parkhead boss was like a father figure at Stromsgodset, taking care of everything and everyone.
While his 14-year-old twin girls Thale and Live will quite rightly always come first, Deila now smiles as he admits there is another one to protect.
He said: “There are two major tasks for me in my life now.
“The first is to take care of my kids. The second is to take care of my kid Celtic.”
And if anyone thinks Deila is over-egging the pudding or churning out lip service in a crass effort to win a place in the hearts of the supporters it’s worth noting the recollections of Mohammed Abu.
The Ghana midfielder arrived in Drammen last year from Manchester City to sign full-time for Stromsgodset after a previous spell at the club.
He had footballing talent alright but not a clue about how he was going to live his new life in Norway.
Deila was well aware of the kid’s predicament.
He could have ordered club staff to keep Abu right, to run after him, to help him.
But that wasn’t good enough. The African player was the manager’s responsibility so Deila went a
step further.
He slung open the doors of his own house and told Abu to live with him.
He treated him like a son. Taught him how to cook, taught him how to drive.
Mohammed Abu
Abu shakes his head when he recalls how Deila made it his business to look after him and said: “I came to Stromsgodset from Ghana at the age of 18, on loan straight away after signing for Manchester City.
“It was my first professional contract in a new country with a different language.
“The manager decided it would be a good idea to move in with him until I got used to everything.
“He treated me like a son and gave me everything which really helped me to adapt to the country and the style of football.
“He improved me as a player as well. He spent a lot of time one on one with me, coaching me to improve my game, but he took care of me.
“He took me out in his car. Sometimes after training he’d come over and say, ‘Right, let’s go driving’. He would show me how to do it. He’d sit in the passenger seat. He was very patient with me.
“He was a good coach at driving as well as football. I was scared but he kept me calm and I didn’t crash his car.
“Ronny tried to teach me how to cook as well. I believe, from memory, spaghetti bolognese was his signature dish. It’s easy to cook as well which helps.
“He’s a really good person and taught me a lot of life skills such as that. He’d always ask if I was OK.
“Players love him. He will be a father figure, the way he was with us.
“He’s not just a manager. He cares about the people around him. He socialises with his players to make sure they are happy in their work and in their life.
“The Celtic players will get on very well with him.”
Abu’s insight offers a fascinating look into the workings of Deila.
From the moment he was first mentioned in connection with the job, people have lined up to praise him as a coach. But it is Deila the man who appears even more of a gem.
Little wonder he got the send-off he did from Drammen on Monday.
Deila reflected on the moment and said: “It was very emotional to go away because I had been there for nine years of my life as a person and as a coach and a leader.
“I have had support all of the time and the people were so unbelievably friendly towards me.
“We did so many things together, so when it came for the day to say goodbye, it was a bit like
moving away from my mum and dad’s house.”
Deila, however, also knows he’s moving to a new house. And if Stromsgodset was a flat, Celtic is a mansion.
Slipping into the sleepy Norwegian background will no longer be an option for the manager as he is plunged into the spotlight both on and off the park in Glasgow.
But if ever a man sounded cut out to handle the chaos it’s Deila. He said: “I am ready to start my new job with Celtic in Glasgow but I experienced a lot of emotions when I was back in Norway at the weekend.
“You do spend time thinking about a lot of things.
“There were a couple of times in the quieter moments when I thought about what had just happened.
“But sometimes you just know in your stomach when something is for you and I just felt this was my big opportunity. There is nothing in a single part of my body which says this is not the right move for me so I have had a very good feeling about it for the past week.
“I believe I am in control of the situation but of course there were lots of people in Norway wanting to congratulate me.
“That was important for me, that I left my country in a good way because I now need to give every single bit of my energy to Celtic and to the job that I now have in Glasgow.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And no, I didn’t buy the paper, I just happened to read it and I thought it was well worth reading.
We all Want our own Celtic Homegrown now more than ever before, I thjnk.
A partnership of Roy and Ronny would have been even better, Roy wasn’t up for it, after reading some comments, I dinnae blame him.
Aiden Bhoy
00:10 on 13 June, 2014
Just watching This Week politics show on BBC 1 . Talking about the extremism issues at the Birmingham schools . Which led on to faith schools Michael Portillo last word on the matter to which he says there will be no peace in the north of Ireland until faith schools are abolished. So there you go lad’s get rid of Catholic schools and everything will be all right. Beyond belief.
====================================
Interesting comment from Portillo, a man who didn’t manage to get out of the exclusive public school system with his arse intact.
Penalty was 50/50 .Seen them given,seen them waved away.When will defenders learn,not to grab/touch/pull attackers in the box?.
Neymar,Oscar,star men for Brazil.Danni Alves is the worst crosser of a ball I have ever seen.Hopeless.Great attacker,shocking delivery.
Sandman 00:52,
I think you may be on to something there. :P
Usual comments from people who can’t accept they are Sinners, everyone is. I’m the biggest Sinner ever, I know I am.
Dinnae Worry, Utopia is just roon the bend.
Not so sure that the Croatian keeper was as bad as all that. Think TV pundits are exerting an influence on some. The point is that when the game was flowing against FIFA the ref intervened to secure the right result.
Just finished watching the Brazil game on a delay tonight.
Some penalty. Fred spinning, off-balance, feels the fingers on his shoulder, takes the drop arms appealing. Gojira Gollum gives it.
Technically, the ref can point at the time and point of contact. But in the real environment of sporting merit it was never a justifiable claim.
And the Croat 2-2 equaliser? Well, Moshni’s last ditch ‘goal’ for the Penny Dreadful against Albion Rovers in the SC looks like a beheading compared to Olic’s jump with his eyes shut. Cesar bumped into him, missed the catch, fumbled, end of.
Poor Croatia. But screw you, Jellyfish.
Brazil a shadow of old, cyphers in the hallowed shirts. Nowhere near the levels we’ve come to expect.
In ’82 the best team never to win a world cup were a goal behind in their opening game but came back to beat Russia through spectacular explosions of genius, through glorious footballing ability.
Without the intervention of the officials tonight Brazil ’14 were dead and buried and looking at the exit, and God knows the civil unrest in the country that would have initiated.
Argentina and the wee genius to restore my faith in pure football and tear up the tourney.
Turkeybhoy
00:57 on 13 June, 2014
Penalty 50/50 my arse, scroll back, most people thought it was an outrageous decision, apart from you! I’m baffled, have you got a large wedge on Brazil? If so dont worry, your money is safe, the officials will see to that.
fritzsong
01:04 on 13 June, 2014
Not so sure that the Croatian keeper was as bad as all that. Think TV pundits are exerting an influence on some. The point is that when the game was flowing against FIFA the ref intervened to secure the right result.
_______________________________________________________
I thought the Referee was almost Hugh Dallas Trained.
Where does Pierluigi Collina fit into all of this?
Strange, very strange when he is on Sky Sports UK talking jibber jabber, a while ago, I found that interesting.
Control every side is the modus. I always thought Collina was brilliant EVERY time I witnessed him as a referee.
Anywat screw this, I’m actually thinking of giving up watching Fooball, I might start watching Tennis or Golf or Rugby, or any other effing sport that doesnt hand total authority to one official, who cannot possibly see everything going on, but he is God and even if he makes mistakes they cannot be altered. A sport that is not CORRUPT to the CORE and promotes corruption and rewards it. Sick of the lot of it.
Twists n Turns
Just found out result, fantastic mate, I also gave it on to a few mates. Happy Bhoy
tonight.
HH
Tonights penalty= Broadfoot+Big Dan=Gollum.
McBhoy
01:28 on 13 June, 2014
Anywat screw this, I’m actually thinking of giving up watching Fooball, I might start watching Tennis or Golf or Rugby, or any other effing sport that doesnt hand total authority to one official, who cannot possibly see everything going on, but he is God and even if he makes mistakes they cannot be altered. A sport that is not CORRUPT to the CORE and promotes corruption and rewards it. Sick of the lot of it.
______________________________________________
The World is Witnessing, more so the hugely populated Countries.
I really don’t know where anyone goes from here.
I stated a while ago that I want to stay in Scotland and to rebuild the game here.
ReM
Farting in Thunder.
I bet on a horse called A Bottle of Smoke
And my Horse Won
Cheers again TnT
Thanks to twists ‘n turns. That’s two great winners. Keep them coming and I can follow the hoops all over Europe.
Celtic are certainly trying to build from the very early ages now.
I’ve seen the 2000’s, impressive.
My Dad and Mum watched the Jock Stein Documentary just before the kick off to the Brazil game. I woke my Auld fella telling him he had to watch this, it was mean’t to pass the Time to the game kicking off, he was a lot less grumpy than me when I’m woken up.
I don’t think he watched the Brazil game, Thursday is his pub night.
Arthur was so enthused by John Kennedy, I’ve never fully understood why, I knew John was a top player. Dad, really rated him above so many, even Aiden, he was watching CelticTV, when I wasn’t and that is the difference.
The Alba TV is Magical, there was an initial groan about the Subtitles from the old fella.
Thought Oscar was MOM and Bernard (sub for Hulk) had a very good game.
How many times have we been pumped for or denied penalties? ……it happens.
I thought Croatia were very hard working, organised and quick but in the end the quality told up front IMO.
Brazil will get better as the competition progresses……..
Thursday nights used to be the domain of the hardcore element of the Moonhowlers.
Respectable people would choke on their cornflakes reading back in the morning.
Others would run needles through their eyes,happy days indeed!
Tonight,Thursday,and a full moon to boot and it’s as quiet as,well,three in the morning on here!!
Where did it all go wrong….
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
02:42 on 13 June, 2014
Thursday nights used to be the domain of the hardcore element of the Moonhowlers.
Respectable people would choke on their cornflakes reading back in the morning.
Others would run needles through their eyes,happy days indeed!
Tonight,Thursday,and a full moon to boot and it’s as quiet as,well,three in the morning on here!!
Where did it all go wrong….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
yer such a tease…. the night is young….
Dealing with, an amazing situation, where I can learn from, nothing quite like CQN though.
It is just an in-game, thing that stops me being so vocal.
I don’t have a passport, I have the olde drivers license,
I will be dealt with soon enough.
Not, if I have anything to do with it.
Friday the 13th
I have a date with a wire being inserted in my groin so that some learned men can peruse my cardiac arteries.
I had it 15 or so years ago but still not looking forward to it.
After all it’s on Friday the 13th
‘GG
Wired baws?
Nae use tae us,mate.
It’s The Real McCoy we’re after here-wired to the moon!
I hope it goes well for you,bud. Rather you than me….
‘GG
02:52 on 13 June, 2014
Friday the 13th
I have a date with a wire being inserted in my groin so that some learned men can peruse my cardiac arteries.
I had it 15 or so years ago but still not looking forward to it.
After all it’s on Friday the 13th
________________________
I am a fan of the technology that identifies problems, I’m a Monstrous critic of any Pharmakeia administered.
Brutal honesty is not very welcome in any place, The Big Guy he is the Main Man.
PETEC
If yer holding out for a passport,you might have a while to wait.
Serious backlogs.
PETEC
I confess that I’m no great fan of administerd medicinal drugs either.
Anything you canny mix wi alcohol should be avoided in my opinion.
howlll.
GG,
Ouch. Best of luck with that. Hope it’s over quick for you with good news.
Stop—- Making Sense
Thanks Ghuys.
The nurse has just administered meds and in on nil by mouth till tomorrow afternoon.
I’ll be drooling over recipes on my iPad
I see the English are putting their excuses in early. LOL
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27800681
The pitch for England’s opening World Cup group game with Italy at the Arena Amazonia is unsuitable, global players’ union FIFPro claims.
Ground staff were appearing to spray the playing surface with green paint ahead of Saturday’s Group D match in Manaus.