I have a lot of time for Bolton Wanderers. During their extended stay in the English topflight, their late chief exec., Phil Gartside, was a regular supporter of Celtic joining the English and Welsh league pyramid.
When we signed 18-year-old Luca Connell from them in 2019, Bolton were in financial trouble. Celtic could have acquired the player without paying a fee, but as an act of solidarity, agreed to meet the terms Bolton were asking from English clubs, who, operating under different criteria from Celtic, were required to pay.
£350k made its way into the bank of the Greater Manchester club. Three years on and Luca has been released, having made no competitive appearances for Celtic.
The football department at Lennoxtown have decision makers at various levels, each with responsibility to recruit for a part of our internal player-pyramid and with an authority to spend budget. The manager has oversight, but he cannot know enough about who is right for the youth squads.
Paths crossed when it came to Luca. He was at Bolton as a youth when Neil Lennon was manager there. Neil became ‘permanent’ manager at Celtic five weeks before that £350k payment went south in return for Luca.
All managers have their pet projects, so this is no reflection on Neil, but we have people in positions lower down the ladder for a reason. Sometimes the boss needs to stay in his lane.
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FOURSTONECOPPI on 5TH JUNE 2022 10:31 AM
I quite like Rod and don`t care that he holds different views from those which I hold. He is neither a politician nor an intellectual. He is a singer who supports Celtic. He`ll do for me.
Good morning from a wet North Staffs – just driven back from a wet North Wales
SLÁINTE ANGE
I read the article on Robby Williams homecoming concert. Of course taking it logically we would have gained promotion 2 years ago if it hadn’t been postponed 🤭.
Hot Smoked – I agree. Sir Rod promotes Celtic wherever he goes. However his rendition of Sweet Caroline was poor – I’m sure it wasn’t his choice of song.
Prestonpans 9.58. Sober up ffs. 😂
Gene,
My partner ( who is also named Caroline) mentioned his song choice. Why did he sing that? Is it relevant? I am not too well up on members of the Royal Family :-))
HOT SMOKED on 5TH JUNE 2022 10:44 AM
FOURSTONECOPPI on 5TH JUNE 2022 10:31 AM
I quite like Rod and don`t care that he holds different views from those which I hold. He is neither a politician nor an intellectual. He is a singer who supports Celtic. He`ll do for me.
###
He’s an arrogant, entitled, racist, Tory scrote.
His association with Celtic is an embarrassment.
He personifies the antithesis of all that is good and positive about the Club.
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 5TH JUNE 2022 11:07 AM
Your posts remind me of a comment a mate of mine made about a guy who liked his drink.
” I didn`t know he drank `till I saw him sober one day.” :-))
Hot Smoked
Apparently there was a vote by Radio 2 listeners to nominate a jubilee anthem – strange indeed. Surprised it wasn’t 3 lions or vindaloo.
Hot Smoked 11.11. 😂😂
ERNIE LYNCH on 5TH JUNE 2022 11:11 AM
After all that, I am amazed that I still don`t detest the guy :-)
Ernie
I’m nearly 72 and during my lifetime I’ve been arrogant, racist, entitled and a bit of a scrote.
Maybe I’m an embarrassment.
Club open to all.
On a more positive note, this is a great documentary.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sir-alex-ferguson-never-give-in
Don’t be sitting on the fence now Ernie
I like Rod’s music and I like the fact that he always promotes Celtic.
Further complications came from the fact that, although Alex was born into a Protestant family in predominantly- Protestant Govan, his father was a Celtic fan. His younger brother Martin, 55, who now works with 56- year-old Alex, was also an ardent supporter of the Parkhead club.
The boys went to school displaying their allegiances. Alex wore a Rangers scarf while Martin favoured Celtic’s colours. But sometimes this led to playground fights between the brothers.
Family friend Tom Hendry recalled: “There was rivalry between the two brothers, for obvious reasons, and a battle started quite a few times – blood was spilled.”
But despite the stresses and strains he was under David chose to talk openly with his devoted wife and never felt it necessary to seek professional help, he said.
Beckham revealed the full extent of his troubled relationship with Manchester United manager Sir Alex and admitted bluntly he was frightened of his boss for years.
And he confessed frankly that for much of his career he was reduced to a trembling wreck when summoned to Sir Alex’s office.
“The manager is a very intimidating person to talk to and to confront…
“Up until two years ago, when you walk into his office to talk to him your lip starts to quiver and your mouth turns dry.” Despite his gratitude to Ferguson for helping him become such a success, an apparent breakdown of trust between the pair was too much for Becks.
News of Beckham going out partying with his wife upset his manager, who thought his star player’s football would suffer. And he admitted he felt his manager did have a problem with former Spice Girl Victoria.
Asked if he thought Ferguson disapproved of his wife, Becks said: “Maybe. My reaction was you can’t help who you fall in love with.””
Players had to pull Beckham away from Fergie to stop a full-blown fight after the England captain was infamously hit above his eye by a flying football boot last February.
But by this stage Becks was no longer afraid of his manager.
Just noticed English supermarkets are only open for six hours on a Sunday! Need to have my lunch then off to Morrisons for a top up of food and drink
A club open to all.
Rod Stewart has done more to promote Celtic worldwide than any individual on here.
His ongoing endorsement of Celtic does more for our reputation than many uber Celtic fans who wouldn’t know directions to Paradise if it hit them on Google maps.
This is 2022 ffs. I couldn’t give a monkeys if Rod is a Tory, a monarchist and English. He supports our football team and is not scared to show it.
Let me tell you what is an embarrassment:
Yesterday we had a great day out in Merchant City and the fringes. Great song, great laughter and great Celtic chat . An elderly gentleman who was so knowledgeable about Celtic and had followed them for over 60 years felt he had to tell us he was a protestant.
A lifelong Celtic man felt he needed to say that.
Now that my friends is an utter embarrassment.
HH.
Rod Stewart is a Celtic fan and has not hidden this view.He is a multi millionaire,money generated from his musical ability,in a long and successful career.I would imagine,like many others,that his private life,is just that,private.His political leanings and his wish to play at Buckingham Palace is his concern and,I couldn’t care less.He is,just part of an enormous family,that happen to follow the fortunes of that famous football team from the east end of Glasgow,Celtic Football Club.I am more into Al Martino,Vic Damone,Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald……and of course…the green and white hooped Celtic.
And what about Sturgeon and her male companion having a blast in the Royal Box outside Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee.
Now that is a f@ cking embarrassment. But let’s focus on Rod who actually promotes our club.
SCULLYBHOY
Have you watched it?
GREENPINATA on 5TH JUNE 2022 11:55 AM
‘Now that my friends is an utter embarrassment.’
###
Why did he feel he had to tell you that he was a Protestant?
Were you talking in Latin or something?
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 5TH JUNE 2022 12:01 PM
‘Rod Stewart is a Celtic fan’
###
As were the people who threw bananas at Mark Walters.
So what?
Did you know the banana throwing folk?
The topic that had arisen centred around Celtic fan and musician Rod Stewart,I was merely adding my piece,to the debate.Meanwhile to the 12.11 poster,tell me,Why are you a Celtic fan/supporter/?
Ernie,
Non recordabor. I am sure I remember people talking as if they were under water .
Th point is a lifelong Celtic supporter felt the need to mention he was a protestant.
That is what should be the focus. Why is religion relevant in supporting a football team. Its 2022.
If some of our support think we have sectarian tendencies, then we as a support need to look in the mirror.
Of course song like Roaming don’t help. Do they. ?
Most Sundays we have the family round for tea ( 13 in all) – this Sunday is no different – however Mrs Gene is doing a Jubilee themed tea complete with red, white and blue decorations. One of my daughter in law is a big fan of the monarchy and is really looking forward to it as are the grandkids.
So I’m taking one for the team 🤭
Robbie Williams is a big Vale fan – I’ll have a look on the Vale blog to see if he is getting pelters for his wealth, religion or political views.
Somehow I doubt it.
I watched the Alex Ferguson film about 2 years ago when it was first released. He certainly didn’t hold back on his hatred of Rangers after growing up supporting them.
I have an old friend who played under Ferguson at Pittodrie. He was summoned to the manager’s office and told he was being transferred to Dundee as part of tbe deal to bring Robert Connor to Aberdeen.
The player objected and said he didn’t want to go to Dundee. Ferguson tried to convince him that it was a good move. Eventually he told him to go home and talk it over with his wife.
Next day the guy was back in the manager’s office telling Ferguson he was staying put and had no intention of signing for Dundee. At that, Fergie went for him and had him by the throat up against the wall and told him in no uncertain terms that if he f***s up this deal he won’t kick another ball for any club.
He signed for Dundee that afternoon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTb6kGMvNos
GREENPINATA on 5TH JUNE 2022 12:28 PM
‘ Why is religion relevant in supporting a football team. Its 2022.’
###
Maybe because the Club was founded by a Catholic priest and because Celtic fans (of all faiths and none ie Proddies) like to think of themselves as being just the latest link in a chain, there is a vague assumption that the Club still somehow has a link to Catholicism or to the Catholic community.
I’m sceptical of any Celtic fan nowadays feeling the need to admit or confess (surely not) to being a Prod. It just doesn’t match my experience of mixing with all sorts, and I mean all sorts, of fans over the decades.
I see Ernie is still on his “I’m a better Celtic supporter than anyone” crusade.
Puerile and pathetic.
Question………..when did Rod Stewart start supporting Celtic???
‘The 76-year-old rock star explained how it was that as an Englishman, he has become a diehard Scotland and Celtic fan. He revealed that it was meeting Jock Stein and other Celtic players in 1973 on the training ground while in Glasgow for a gig with his old band The Faces that began his Hoops conversion’.
I liked the Faces but TBH, i never saw him in the dark days in the pouring rain up in Dundee on a Wednesday night returning on a crap supporters bus, that broke down on the way back and yer Das’ pished!.
But heyho he supports Celtic…..For me hes still a lickspittle and can ‘Get Tae’. 🤣 LOL
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 5TH JUNE 2022 12:42 PM
I see Ernie is still on his “I’m a better Celtic supporter than anyone” crusade.
###
Nothing of the sort.
You’ve let your personal animosity override your ability to comprehend basic English.
Either that or you’re just thick.
Good afternoon all from another lovely day in the Garngad.
No drink until I run Junior David66 and his girlfriend to the airport, they are off to Tenerife. 😥😥😥
Celebrating the monarchy…..
Oooft
Laters
D :)
I was watching last night and Rod clearly stated in the intro to Sweet Caroline that the BBC had asked him to sing it and asked the audience to help out by singing the words. If you ever see it again, it looked an awkward moment.
Ernie Lynch,telling us he has actually”Mixed” with other Celtic fans.!!!!!!.Well,I was a bit doubtful about this.
Has anyone on here,ever mixed in Ernie’s esteemed company ?.Any CQN gatherings ?.
Please let us know.
I’m surprised at the number of posters who seem to have been glued to the telly watching all the jubilee bollocks and they expressing surprise and disappointment with what was on offer.