Spain were cut low by Chile, England by Uruguay, Italy by Costa Rica. Argentina were pushed to the last gasp by Iran, Germany had to come from behind to match Ghana. Add to this the merit badges earned by Croatia against Brazil, Bosnia against Argentina and the Aussies against the Dutch, and we have a remarkable list of performances by underdogs against countries who to some extent fancied their chances for the trophy.
The most striking feature of all these performances is the way the results were achieved. Apart from their own dead rubber in the Nou Camp last season, Celtic beat or narrowly lost to Barcelona in a series of games over the last decade by defending their 18 yard box as though their lives depended on it. Ventures forward were never supported by many players. We’ve not been alone, this is the way lower-resource clubs have taken on the super-rich in the Champions League.
World Cup 2014 has seen this change. Australia, Iran and Bosnia will head home proud of their performances, something which takes balls. When we’re inevitably drawn against Barca next time in the Champions League, should we press them high up the field? My feeling is, we would be slaughtered, but at one point in this tournament, we need to mature.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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TBJ
Ye cannie get a decent smokie in Porto Allegre I hear. :)
I noticed a few comments re Angela H earlier, in my experience she doesn’t mind giving it out but don’t dare question or disagree with her or you’ll be accused of being a misogynist or worse. My advice to those who are on twitter is don’t feed the troll.
And in other news – congratulations to CFCórdoba who’ve just been promoted in spain. Green & white back in the primera next season :D
glendalystonsils
Thank you mhate. Really appreciate it.
HH jamesgang
Off the top of my head –
Celtic connections so far in this world cup –
1. Efe
2. Izzy
3. Fraser
4. Sami
5. Wee Gordon
6. Saint Martin
7. Ki (just about to score his first world cup goal by the way (13/2))
8. (Sir) Jock Stein (that programme first aired after the World Cup started)
9. Big Bad John (that other programme aired after the World Cup started)
10. John Collins(famously put Scotland ahead against Brasil and appointed during this World Cup) [getting desperate now….)
Decent representation. Don’t think any other Glasgow based team come close ;-)
@Jobo Baldie Don’t think any other Glasgow based team come close ;-)
———–
I thought of John Lambie & Thistle the other day when that Uruguayan was lying concussed on the pitch
DD
Sooper is more concerned that there are no Gregg’s in Porto Allegre either
hamiltontim
19:48 on 22 June, 2014
Probably regret this but what did minx1888 predict?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Ki vs Booger
zbyszek
Nothing that clever or logical mhate. My name’s James. I walked into the gym one night and my pal said ‘look, here come’s the James Gang…!’
That was it. It stuck.
And I have to confess that when I signed up to CQN I didn’t realise it would visible to all!
Jobo. I did a wee charity bike ride and hailed my plump posterior from Oban to St Andrews on fri/sat.
Only thing missing was reading your observations on how perfect the weather was!
HH jamesgang
The Algerian tops seem to have shrunk in the wash.
Or are they all fat bassas?!
HH!!
Jobo -how could you miss Neil Francis Lennon
jamesgang –
you’ve convinced me (ya midget!). Is there a link to a donation page?
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name –
How bad do I feel now! Even ran my list past my 21-year -old to check I hadn’t missed anyone!!
The King is dead…. right enough ;-)
TBJ
Plenty of kebab outlets for rotund sleekit’s breakfast tho.
Jamesgang
Thanks
jobo
there was also the lad from rio csc who was on 5live with neil.
Gene’s a Bhoy’s name –
aye, alright, stop rubbin’ it in! ;-)
Can anybody tell me how much sevco are getting from the commonweath games for 2 days rugby? Is this whats keeping them alive?
No holds barred in this game. I sense a sending off wi some of the tackles going on. Much better to watch than the boring game earlier. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Good, well taken goal for Algeria.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Algeria giving South Korea a going over. 1-0. Could well score quite a few more.
Oh, I would love Algeria to get through. The world still owes them one.
Koreans getting done up here
Algeria tough, aggressive and fast….
2-0
2-0…..What did I just say??
Ooft 2-0.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Great header 2 nil Algeria
S Korea are incredibly lightweight.
sparkleghirl
Your wish is their command. Good game this. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Ki not had many touches
Anybody know the dates for CL qualifiers? Fancy a trip to auld reekie for one of them.
Pace and strength seem to be the characteristics of the underdog in this wc.
MR Z,
Just back having spent a lovely week in Poland, visiting Poznan, Warsaw & Krakow. Really enjoyed the trip. Also visited Auschwitz, quite a chilling experience. Couldn’t say I enjoyed it but still glad I went. Overall very impressed with people & Country. Only thing that knocked me back was seeing numerous houses along the roads with Asbestos roofs.
I’d pick the boogers in this one
winning captains
15:55 on
22 June, 2014
Who was the first goalkeeper you saw playing for Celtic? Can anyone go further back than John Fallon?
*probably George Hunter as I was just a wean when my da took me tae the Jungle but my first memory was Johnny Bonnar.
Looks like another 3 seats have been snapped up in the bournesouprecipe main stand. Only 53 now remaining – 37 in the front, 16 in the rear.
Corkcelt
“Only thing that knocked me back was seeing numerous houses along the roads with Asbestos roofs.”
Must have thought you were in govan