It was a league game at Tannadice, Hogmanay 1966, which ended the Lisbon Lions 26 game unbeaten domestic run, a record which stood until yesterday. Stein’s Celtic were comfortable and led with 20 minutes to go, but United scored twice in three minutes and before the Champions had time to realise they were in trouble, it was too late.
That’s how historic runs end.
It’s only this season anyone has paid attention to that specific record, such were the overwhelming achievements which unfolded in the months ahead for the men who would become known as Lions. With the League Cup already secured, they added the Scottish Cup and the League title, before becoming the first team to break the Italian-Spanish-Portuguese hegemony on the European Cup.
The serendipity of one of the Lions records falling while we celebrate the 50th anniversary of their great achievements should not be lost.
Season 66-67 wasn’t just about Lisbon. Celtic retained the league for the first time since the Great War – a 50-year gap without defending the league title! They won the treble, the (then competitive) Glasgow Cup, and finished off with a virtuoso performance at the Bernabeu. They changed Scotland forever; nothing would ever be the same again.
Hearts only offered effective opposition for around 5 minutes yesterday, but if/when we lose a domestic game this season, it’s likely to follow the format of St Johnstone’s visit last midweek. St Johnstone defended every Celtic attack bar one and created a chance which could have bounced off the post more generously for them.
All the pressure and superiority in the world are irrelevant in the face of the statistical certainty that, in one game, a dominant team will miss all their chances and concede one of the few they are called to defend.
More records beckon for this Celtic team, not just Scottish ones. Benfica’s world record 29-game consecutive league game winning record has proven impossible to match. But, there’s one team with a chance of doing so this season…………
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if Celtic accept a bid for CG money has and will talk. even a 4 year Celtic contract wont equal 2.5 at Chelsea, imo
H
* his = is
Always interesting when terror and terrorism hits a target deemed of less worth than others.
Je suis Quebec.
Maybe it’s more worthy when it’s a lorry piling into a square or a terrorist attacking a church.
I know. We are just immune. I’ve heard that. But it seems we are only immune to particular terror events. Strange as that may be.
MWD
ERNIE LYNCH
If I remember correctly then Craig Gordon was not welcomed so warmly when he signed for us. People said he was past it or were worried about his injury. People are still worried about his distribution. But he has had a good run of games and a fire was lit under him with the signing of DDV, who I don’t think was really a replacement.
I would love for us to find another Forster or Boruc and I’m sure we have the money there to buy them.
If our back room staff cannot spot a decent goalie, at whatever cost, then I’d be seriously concerned.
HH EnnisBhoy
MOONBEAMSWD:
I take your point mate but prejudice is often, although indelible…invisible to the conscience.
We will not acknowledge our own bias and prejudice because we are whatever we are in our own minds.
Is a Muslim life worth less than a Christian life?
dont believe epl gk make over 100k a week,maybe one.
ENNISBHOY on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:27 PM
ERNIE LYNCH
If I remember correctly then Craig Gordon was not welcomed so warmly when he signed for us. People said he was past it or were worried about his injury. People are still worried about his distribution. But he has had a good run of games and a fire was lit under him with the signing of DDV, who I don’t think was really a replacement.
____
Serial moaners weren’t happy
He was referred to as the cheap option. Referred to as a Peter Lawwell signing.
Tim H- Courtois, Hart, de Gea possibly on 100k a week?
Not to my mind Kit.
No human life is worth or less more than any other regardless of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
MWD
Grumpy blog today!
My tuppence worth.
As far as the discussion on records goes and the comments that people weren’t think about them in ’66; that, IMHO, is simply because the plethora of information available now wasn’t available then. Nor was the saturated TV and press/internet coverage we now have. It’s only because such information is readily available that we can quickly and easily compare it.
It’s a record, we beat it so good luck to those involved. Next up, Benfica’s 29 match winning runs maybe?
As far as Gordon goes (sic), I’m not overly fussed one way or the other. He cost nought, has played some good games but has also played some bad games. We have 2 keepers on the books who are capable of filling in if he goes and we can always buy another keeper if needs must. I am confident that the management team already have this in hand.
His worth? What Chelsea are willing to pay is what he’s worth. At 34, anything over £5M is, IMHO, a good deal for Celtic.
KTF
I like Craig Gordon, he’s a total professional and I think for our younger players a great example of courage in the face of adversity.
I hope he stays.
ENNISBHOY on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:27 PM
ERNIE LYNCH
If I remember correctly then Craig Gordon was not welcomed so warmly when he signed for us.
###
For some of us at least that was because the one thing he had done in his career that stood out to us as Celtic fans was him coming up for the corner at Tynecastle.
Let’s just say he wasn’t known for coming up for corners.
KITALBA
Dont believe KD went for the money, more Celtic needed the£s
HH
Starry Plough,that’s right ,about the Parks Bus ,no way should Celtic help out Parks be it free advertising,or otherwise,this a fact not cheap shots at Sevco, anyway Celtic should have there own Club Decked Bus.
Craig Gordon will start against Aberdeen,Brendan just said so on the telly.I watched him say it and I believe him.I also believe it won’t stop others speculating about the situation.
===
I thought Nir had his best game in a long,long time yesterday.Amazing what running and tackling can do for a player’s performance.Hope he keeps it up.
Christian was MoM,imho of course,and his energy levels were remarkable,his passing wasn’t too shabby either.Like the look of him as a player.
Last word has to go to young Kieran though,he is quite simply an utter joy to watch.Destined for greatness.
HH
CELTIC MAC on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:03 PM
Paul67 et al
“What we have here is an attempt, very successful it has to be said given the related publicity, to link the present Celtic team with that of the Lisbon Lions. I think the correct word is ‘vicariously’. For those of us actually there on 31/12/66 there was no collective ‘well at least Jock has set a domestic record’. Had I attempted that in the Jungle that day I would more likely have found myself on the wrong end of a full size bottle of McEwans India Pale Ale. Wielded by KevJungle. Celtic were unbeaten from August 1966 for 33 games, winning both the League Cup and the Glasgow, and winning four games in the European Cup. That is what we were celebrating, not a run of league games in the first half of the season. And anyways for those of us hooked into the history of the club, the record that really mattered were Willy Maley’s six League titles in a row at the start of the century, and his team’s later run of 62 league matches undefeated, which was of course during the Great War (For Civilisation). You want to compare unbeaten runs then tell me what Celtic’s unbeaten run is this season.
And get back to me!”
*****
Had you been in the Jungle on 31/12/66, youd’ve been safe from any thrown beer bottles, as the game was at Tannadice!
Is Tweety McOrange looking forward to a bit of Regina grabbing ?
TIMBHOY3
When I saw the Hoops pulling up yesterday in a Park’s bus I thought oh ho Timbhoy 3 will be beelin’ !!
Just another way of Celtic keeping Sevco alive:))
HH
Regarding the Craig Gordon situation,lots of conflicting info for me.
Brendan is now stating CG is a Champions League level GK,yet he unceremoniously,and with haste,binned him for the frankly poor De Vries,this was the guy who cost Dunfermline their Premier place,and was last seen by most of us in 2007 as a beaten Scottish Cup Finalist with Dunfermline.
Standing beside John Fallon at Pittodrie the topic came up and glowing testimony was in very short supply.
I really cannot see BR spend money on De Vries as some kind of motivational incentive for Gordon,so I conclude it was an error,the problem being it has shown Gordon he was expendable, so its understandable he is exploring his options.
Not worried either way re run in, but a better standard than Bailly perhaps for next year.
McGovern should have been signed. ( again )
excathedra44 on 30th January 2017 2:47 pm
Regarding the Craig Gordon situation,lots of conflicting info for me.
Brendan is now stating CG is a Champions League level GK,yet he unceremoniously,and with haste,binned him for the frankly poor De Vries
One day you’re a peacock, next day you’re a feather duster…..:))
Anyone who can look at Kenny Dalglish’s record and service to Celtic, and what he went on to achieve at Liverpool both as player and manager, and question his loyalty and accuse him of chasing the money needs to have a good talk with himself.
Absolutely unbelievable.
I was at the corresponding home fixture in 1967, when we lost only our second league match that glorious season, again by 2-3. I think a win would’ve clinched the league that night.
It was only my second Celtic game, my first with my late father. On reflection, we had no chance that night. He rarely made games due to work, but if I tell you his next 2 games were the 0-1 European Cup loss to AC Milan and the 1-4 League Cup final v Thistle, you’ll realise what a jinx the man was!
He was outside Hampden with me before the 6-1 v Hibs, but took me and my wee brother out of the crush at the turnstiles and headed home. I then took him years later to the Rapid Vienna 3-1 win.
You know what happened next!
!!BADA BING!! on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:51 PM
One day you’re a peacock, next day you’re a feather duster…..:))
=========================================================
Good summary of events. :)
Bada Bing –
Brendan was big enough to admit his mistake in dropping Gordon and rectified it, all before a ball was kicked in the Champions League.
If the POTUS is refusing people entry on national safety grounds,
why does in not apply to Saudis,who made up the majority of the 9/11 hijackers
..
If Craig is on £20k p/w at Celtic and Hoes to Chelsea for £50 p/w He would be Worse off after Buying Property and Reschooling Kids..
Then getting the Underground to work everyday.. Would be a Nightmare..
Ps.. Only time he has been Bad at Celtic was when he had a Different back 4 in Front of Him.. Who invariably were Pants .. ie.. After Virgil and Jason Left.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Do the Math.. X2
Summa of SumsCSC
..
Oops..
Different back 4 every other week..
Summa
Sorry, last was for Celtic Mac. Well, not exclusively, but you know what I mean!
Gordybhoy64
Just look into who finances America.
It’s simples!
MWD
BABASONICOS71 on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:43 PM
Craig Gordon will start against Aberdeen,Brendan just said so on the telly.I watched him say it and I believe him.I also believe it won’t stop others speculating about the situation.
===
I thought Nir had his best game in a long,long time yesterday.Amazing what running and tackling can do for a player’s performance.Hope he keeps it up.
Christian was MoM,imho of course,and his energy levels were remarkable,his passing wasn’t too shabby either.Like the look of him as a player.
Last word has to go to young Kieran though,he is quite simply an utter joy to watch.Destined for greatness.
I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD I Lille Gambia he looks a real players but especially young KT amazing to watch what the academy has developed in him he is world class now IMO
I would also say that boyata was also outstanding on Saturday
beatbhoy
Must have been watching Celtic Reserves that day!
GORDYBHOY64 on 30TH JANUARY 2017 2:58 PM
If the POTUS is refusing people entry on national safety grounds,
why does in not apply to Saudis,who made up the majority of the 9/11 hijackers
————————————————————————————
This is why…
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/opinion/who-hasnt-trump-banned-people-from-places-where-hes-made-money.html
Gordybhoy64,
The new law was made by Obama on the orders of Saudi, I’m surprised at the number of Tims that trust the MSMs version. Trumps executive order was about more rigorous vetting of applicants.
I don’t understand why Craig Gordon is getting so much grief on here. His crime would appear to be, being subject to a bid from Chelsea FC.
So one report stated the player was “keen to speak to Chelsea”. It was in The Sun so it must be true.
Celtic hold all the aces, having Gordon under contract. Chelsea offered £3m. Brendan said no.
It’s sad that so many on here are swallowing the media hype and believing that the player expressed a wish to speak to Chelsea regardless.
Some of the comments aimed at Gordon beggar belief.
I said it on Friday and I’ll say it again. Craig Gordon will be Celtic goalkeeper v Aberdeen on Wednesday.
AT- the CG situation is a difficult one to sum up, and difficult for the Club IMO, I’m sure we are looking at replacements in case it happens.We seem active in the African market just now, so who knows? HH
Natknow,
The nytimes really, the USAs version of the daily record
Of course during the Aberdeen game, the CQN body-language experts will be telling us Gordon doesn’t want to be there.
I wonder who will be first.
Afternoon all
Obviously pleased we set the record though I guess in years to come few people wiĺl list it amongst their great days supporting it or consider it one of our greatest achievements – we lost 4 European games after the domestic season started and really our unbeaten record only stands at 13. Were we to go through an entire league season unbeaten – something we have never done- or beat Benfica’s record then I think those would be more significant achievements. But a treble would be better than either. And I am a stats nerd
Jimbo67