After writing a piece on our European season for the forthcoming CQN Magazine I read the excellent contribution from SFTB this morning. It is only natural that we live in the moment but for the last 70 years of the 20th century Celtic fans, more than anyone else, viewed each day in its historical context.
Older generations would have had little choice but to keep their history alive during the lost decades between the mid-20s and mid-60s. 7-1 and the Coronation Cup, each magnificent and modest in their own way, were the highlights, while the legend of Jimmy McGrory more than anyone established what was known as the Celtic Way.
Then came Lisbon. In an instant, all that history was eclipsed. New heroes, one of whom recalled to me he was told Celtic would amount to nothing with him in the team by a ‘fan’ a few years earlier, changed everything, but for this most historical of clubs, the inheritance was not all positive.
If Jimmy McGrory established Celtic as a remarkable goal-scoring team, the incessant attacking that afternoon in Lisbon cast an unattainable shadow. It proved Celtic could win the European Cup by playing fabulous football but set a template we were cursed to attempt to follow.
The rules of the off-field game have changed often since those days, no more so than this season, when Celtic grew from a team who were penned into their own penalty box by HJK Helsinki, who needed a goal to knock us out of Europe in August, from a team the Turin media were joyous when Juventus beat home and away. Thoughts of ‘Maybe we could win this” have since emerged in Turin.
I’ve loved every minute of this season, from the last minute header in Moscow to the last minute header in Dingwall. Adding context to it is a joy for one of our tomorrows.
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GLASS TWO THIRDS FULL
Van Basten was a goalagame player wi Ajax,and apart from one season when he did the Dutch thing of falling out with the manager,manager 2 in 3 for AC MILAN.
That is some going by any standards,a phenomenal player.
Miki-Stuck for words,prayer said.HH
http://henryclarson.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/strong-rangers-2/
miki67
I’m truly sorry to heat that news.
I’ll say a prayer and light a candle for you at tonight’s Rosary.
SPF
Ralph-Can’t see Elbows in that disgusting clip.
I’ve often found it strange on this blog that to want Celtic to have played better when they play poorly can end up being described as poor supporting behaviour. And it sometimes feels implied that because you might moan you don’t have the wherewithal to see the successes of this or any other season. Strange.
There’s will allow some forms of context and not others. It plays better when viewed in hindsight too.
When I go ten-pin bowling with my family I go to have a good time and also try and get them spares and strikes. I get upset when I gutterball a shot. I try to do well overall. I can see it in the context of a family day out but I also want to do well within its parameters. And afterwards I can revisit it as a whole enjoyably. But I can also rationalise being annoyed at gutter balls and missing a spare. It’s all part of the game.
U
miki67
The new issue of CQN Magazine is dedicated to your bravery. You are in all our prayers.
BMCUW
Celtic players whose careers were ended by horrendous tackles.
Do you remember Stevie Murray who joined us from Nottm Forest in the late 1980s?
His career was ended after a horrendous tackle from a Murderwell player – cant remember who – in a reserve game. Never played a first team game.
He received financial compensation for his injuries.
Comes from Symington – drinks in the Lonsdale. Will introduce you to him if I get the chance!
Was a smashin young player.
HH!!
ggh
you cant play against them ever AGAIN cos we aint ever played them before ;).
kiltoonybhoy 16:27 on 12 March, 2013
Ask the Zombie to tell you when Celtic were liquidated.
Sir Paul
Ah Must solemnly Confess…
Ah hiv Nevah fallenVictim tae the .. Dreaded?..
“Swiss Disease”
Although, the Same cannot be said.. regarding,the main body of your mair Soft and Sentimental Subscribers .. where, the Swiss Disease .. can be found tae be.. Not Inconspicuously… Rampant.
Me?
Ah am faur tae Practical and Hard Heided…tae be burdened so.
Is that a Failing?
Not Normally, But oan Here.. it is .. Positively… Abnormal!
Nostalgia, has it’s place.. Mayhap, at Boot Camp.. and…amongst those New Australians..
but.. Ah canny seem tae Drum Some o’ it up,at will… especially,
When it comes tae takin’ a Trip doon Memory Lane.
Ah am faur too busy.. in the Present,
and..have Precious Little Free Time Available,as it is.
Consequently, I dare not be found guilty o’ Squandering it. by indulging in an Aimless Wander Through the Antique Shop of Memories Past.
Na..Kiddo..
Ah dinna hiv an Ounce of Sentimentality in Ma Bones..
Mebbe, a Gram or two..in Ma Navel.. but.. that’s aboot awe.
That is the wey Ah am Made.
Probably, that is why Ah always seem tae Irritate and Aggravate,tae the Point of Unendurability… such a Plethora o’
yer mair..
“Swiss Disease” Infected..Subscribers.
Ah mark time ae a different Drummer..Ah canny help it..
It’s MA Nature.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
doc.
Ye i will be getting a season book for my bhoy and myself and my daughter if she fancies it.
Thanks for the info.hh
tallybhoy
jamie dolan wrecked stevie murrays ligaments
Sipsini-Welcome Home :}
miki67
I’ve followed your recent postings, I was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer last year (54 years old) – I’ve had chemo which reduced the tumour but they’re just waiting for it to turn up elsewhere. Frank Carson said (I know!) that “any morning you wake up & your elbows are not touching the sides of your coffin is a bonus” & so far I’ve tried to live that way – keep fighting – your not alone!
The Boy Jinky
Thanks for that.
Can still remember Stevie hobbling about like an old man – it was sad to see.
HH!!
TALLYBHOY
Sandy-blonde hair?
Built like a pocket battleship?
Does he drink expensive stuff?
More importantly,does he know the rail timetable off by heart and whether you turn left or right coming oot the pub?
Kidding aside,there seems to be a common thread here,and I’ve mentioned it before-the SFA are liable under H&S LEGISLATION for a willful failure to protect our players.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS 17:02 on 12 March, 2013
GLASS TWO THIRDS FULL
Van Basten was a goalagame player wi Ajax,and apart from one season when he did the Dutch thing of falling out with the manager,manager 2 in 3 for AC MILAN.
That is some going by any standards,a phenomenal player.
Undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. Certainly the best in his position I have ever seen. Even sadder that when he got his last injury he was in the best form of his career – I think he had three hat-tricks in the September-November ’92 period just before he got the injury that finished him. The four against Gothenburg (plus one harshly disallowed) in the CL still takes some beating.
Quizking-Best wishes to you too hombre.
glasstwothirdsfull
Marco Van Bastens career was ended by another ex deid clubs players. Basil Boli. Right through the back of him. That was the catalyst for fifa eventually banning the tackle from behind. Although it seems to still be ok to do it to Celtic players.
!!Bada Bing!!
Thanks, I wasn’t going to share but I wanted to support Miki
TALLYBHOY
In 6th year we all went on a religious retreat to a place near Symington.
Never outa the pub on the A77.
Neither were the priests and teachers!
Quizking-HH
Hundreds of huns are diagnosed every day with incurable stupidity.
Of course they’re too thick to realise what this means.
It’s us who have to live with it.
Jamie Dolan passed away a few years ago, think it amazing to look at that Motherwell cup winning team of 91 and see that Jamie Dolan, Davie Cooper , Phil O’Donnell and Paul McGrillen all dead.
Sad, all young men cut off in their prime. All played in that cup Final.
QUIZKING
A shocking revelation,I wish you all the strength you and your family need to cope.
Pretty sure you’ll be getting a mention on the REAL hotline in future.
I hope it works,bud.
BMCUW
Yes – that’s him.
Drinks Guiness mostly.
Don’t think he tends to travel on public transport – no use asking train times.
HH!!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Thanks, I’m a lot of things, husband, father, son, brother, mad Celtic fan the list goes on, cancer sufferer is just one of the many things I am & I’m not going to let it become the main thing just yet!
TALLYBHOY
Not much point in asking the barstaff there either-I went up to the bar and they gave me another pint!
Didnae wanna waste it,mind.
Give him my best,he was a player we were looking forward to seeing.
I hope his life has worked out ok-too many players in his position have just gone afterwards.
Quiz King
Hail Hail to u. Stay positive
ASonofDan
Imagine having to ask the Council permission if you want to move back to Rutherglen. Wouldn’t be Shawfield by any chance? Good news if true, maybe a Junior Club could move into Broadwood.
QUIZKING
At the risk of being patronising,I think you left out fighter.
My tenbob knows where it’s going. So do you,bud.
ntassoolla 17:36
Now I understand why so many on this site don’t like you. One of the most stupid posts I have ever read here. You think you are funny?
Grant Russell @STVGrant
SPL currently open to terracing upon application by clubs. Reconstruction rules would mean no need to seek permission http://bit.ly/15KwpfS
Thursday 12th
Fr Toner was in tonight, and brought me in some religious magazines.
My weight is 58.75 kgs. They did not take a blood sample because they want to incorporate other tests with it. So the doctor says they’ll do it next week.
Physically I have felt very tired today, between dinner time and later afternoon. I know I’m getting physically weaker. It is only to be expected. But I’m okay. I’m still getting the papers all right, but there’s nothing heartening in them. But again I expect that also and therefore I must depend entirely upon my own heart and resolve, which I will do.
I received three notes from the comrades in Armagh, God bless them again.
I heard of today’s announcement that Frank Hughes will be joining me on hunger-strike on Sunday. I have the greatest respect, admiration and confidence in Frank and I know that I am not alone. How could I ever be with comrades like those around me, in Armagh and outside.
I’ve been thinking of the comrades in Portlaoise, the visiting facilities there are inhuman. No doubt that hell-hole will also eventually explode in due time. I hope not, but Haughey’s compassion for the prisoners down there is no different from that of the Brits towards prisoners in the North and in English gaols.
I have come to understand, and with each passing day I understand increasingly more and in the most sad way, that awful fate and torture endured to the very bitter end by Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan. Perhaps, — indeed yes! — I am more fortunate because those poor comrades were without comrades or a friendly face. They had not even the final consolation of dying in their own land. Irishmen alone and at the unmerciful ugly hands of a vindictive heartless enemy. Dear God, but I am so lucky in comparison.
I have poems in my mind, mediocre no doubt, poems of hunger strike and MacSwiney, and everything that this hunger-strike has stirred up in my heart and in my mind, but the weariness is slowly creeping in, and my heart is willing but my body wants to be lazy, so I have decided to mass all my energy and thoughts into consolidating my resistance.
That is most important. Nothing else seems to matter except that lingering constant reminding thought, ‘Never give up’. No matter how bad, how black, how painful, how heart-breaking, ‘Never give up’, ‘Never despair’, ‘Never lose hope’. Let them bastards laugh at you all they want, let them grin and jibe, allow them to persist in their humiliation, brutality, deprivations, vindictiveness, petty harassments, let them laugh now, because all of that is no longer important or worth a response.
I am making my last response to the whole vicious inhuman atrocity they call H-Block. But, unlike their laughs and jibes, our laughter will be the joy of victory and the joy of the people, our revenge will be the liberation of all and the final defeat of the oppressors of our aged nation.
Bobby Sands
!! bada bing!!
I will look forward to being able to going back to paradise on a regular basis and away games when suits.
Europe… Last one for me was Seville.
Thankfully I’ll be in a position to take
my bhoy to a one atleast.
A first for us but not the last.
celtic mac
Chat previously was sharing with Glencairn
John Collins picking his best 11 he has played with on shortbread. Probably around 6.30 if you want to avoid McIntyre!