As Neil Lennon heads Down Under with his players for a three game trip to Australia it reminded  me of a similar excursion the club embarked on 34 years ago.

At that time Celtic had just won the domestic double, beating  Rankers 1-0 at a rain soaked Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final only weeks before, courtesy of an Andy Lynch penalty. However there was one significant omission from the travelling party.

Captain Kenny Dalglish, my hero at the time, had decided he wanted to leave the club. He’d been at Celtic Park for ten years, having won every domestic honour, and wanted a different challenge with a move to Liverpool beckoning.

I was broken hearted. King Kenny never to wear the Hoops again. It still brings a lump to my throat.

Anyway, Big Jock was resigned to losing one of his most famous protégés. There was nothing he could do, so Jock used his absence to motivate the Bhoys who journeyed to Oz by proving they could win without the King.

]]> http://celticfanzone.net/oz-trip-brings-back-memories-of-77/feed/ 0 http://celticfanzone.net/two-comparisons-that-should-never-be-made/ http://celticfanzone.net/two-comparisons-that-should-never-be-made/#comments Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:16:02 +0000 Fanzone http://celticfanzone.net/2905/two-comparisons-that-should-never-be-made/ Stein and Smith, Larsson and Boyd

When Paddy McCourt comes off the bench there’s one thing for sure……he wants to go past people and make things happen.

I say ‘off the bench’ because The Derry Pele is much better as an impact player than a starter. His run and goal against the Embra Huns yesterday proved that.

And while Paddy keeps on entertaining, Sammy continues to frustrate not just the fans but manager Neil Lennon too!

It’s fair to say that the big Greek could easily have scored a hat-trick after coming on as sub for Daryl Murphy, although in all fairness to Sammy he did get a perfectly good goal chopped off.

Anyway, a 3-0 win against the Wee Huns is a good result at anytime. The score could have been at least double if it were not for poor finishing, long before Sammy entered the fray.

I’m sure the Jambos will point to a couple of dodgy decisions from referee Willie Collum that denied them a penalty and possibly an offside leading to the first goal.

Now they’ll know how we felt last season when they came to Paradise, kicked us off the park and we were denied a stonewaller when Niall McGinn was upended!

So, four games, twelve points, nine goals scored and NONE conceded.

Not a bad start for the ‘novice manager’!

P.S. I know the Green Brigade get some bad press but their tribute to Big Jock yesterday was superb, well done Bhoys!

On the 25th Anniversary of Jock Stein’s passing, the internet is awash with glorious, fitting, tributes to the man responsible for making our club great again.

His Lisbon Lions are, and always will be, legends not only at Celtic but the world over. Jock brought a success to Celtic that will never be repeated, with players that would make your mouth water;

Jimmy Johnstone, Kenny Dalglish, Bobby Murdoch, Danny McGrain, Joe McBride, Dixie Deans…….the list is endless.

But what are YOUR memories of big Jock?

For those of you too young to remember him, I’m sorry to say you missed the greatest manager Celtic ever had.

So for us ‘oldies’ tell us what sticks out about Jock Stein….

Was it Lisbon?  Beating Leeds United at HampdenPark? Or Elland Road for that matter? Or was it  the way that the Scottish Press were sh*t scared of him?

Whatever it was, today is as good a day as any to tell ‘Big Jock’ stories….

Jock Stein With The Coronation Cup

Our friends over at Talksport, (Alan Brazil, George Galloway & Co, all good Tims) are running another poll in their Hall of Fame series.

This time it’s The Greatest Football Team of all time. And we all know who that is….The Lisbon Lions.

Up against The Lions in this category are;

Arsenal 2004

Manchester United 1999

Liverpool 1984

Nottingham Forest 1979-80

Each and every one of the teams represented are worthy of their place but none come close to the achievement of Celtic 1967, The Lisbon Lions.

So, all good Tims and football people get your vote in, NOW!

Vote Here

Just a reminder of that famous night……

The annual Jock Stein Friendship Trophy match between Albion Rovers and Celtic ended with the young Hoops retaining the cup after a dramatic penalty shoot out.

Both sides gave their all in the Coatbridge sunshine this holiday Monday but neither could find a breakthrough after a tough ninety minutes.

Captain Ryan Conroy With Trophy

The game marked Neil Lennon’s first game in charge of the reserves and with Celtic legend Danny McGrain by his side Lenny was given an insight to his new role.

Watching the game from the Cliftonhill Stand was new manager Tony Mowbray with assistants Peter Grant and Mark Venus. Also in attendance was John Park, Celtic’s chief scout……interesting!

Chances were few and far between, and the match ended 0-0. So it was all down to penalties. As nerves took their toll on both sets of youngsters, it was the young Hoops who managed to keep thier cool and win the trophy after sudden death.

So another trophy for the cabinet already, hopefully this Mowbray fellow has the midas touch!

Video of the game to follow…soon!

This “Glasgow Fair Monday”(20th July) will see The Bhoys under the management of Neil Lennon visit Albion Rovers to defend the Jock Stein Friendship Cup they won last July under the then stewardship of Willie McStay.

As usual Celtic will send over a team made up of some reserves and some first team players in Neil Lennon’s first competitive match as Celtic Reserve Team Manager. Cliftonhill Stadium Coatbridge will also see the visit of the new Hoops First Team Manager & Coaches to watch the game.

So Bhoys & Ghirls get yourselves along to Coatbridge and cheer the “Young Hoops” onto victory….

Albion Rovers v Celtic….Jock Stein Friendship Cup…Monday 20th July …Kick-Off 3pm…Entrance £5. payable at the gates…

We hope to see lot’s of Bhoys & Ghirls there as Lenny’s Hoops Win The Cup…C’mon The Hoops…

The Annual Jock Stein Friendship Cup match between Albion Rovers and Celtic will take place this year on “Glasgow Fair Monday” the 20th July with a 3pm kick off at Cliftonhill Stadium Coatbridge.

This match with be Neill Lennon’s first competitive match in charge of the Celtic reserve side and he will be aiming to retain the Jock Stein Friendship Cup which Willie McStay’s Bhoys have won for the last three seasons. It also give us Bhoys & Ghirls the chance to look at the players at the club who are vying for a first team role in the near future.

Albion Rovers as always extend a “Very Warm Welcome” to all “Celtic Fans” to visit Coatbridge and take part in a joint Rovers and Hoops Celebration of The Greatest Manager Ever. Admission to the match is £5.

We look forward to seeing all “Bhoys & Ghirls” coming out to cheer on the Young Hoops and also Neil Lennon as new reserve manager….

Hail Hail….FRP…8th July 2009

How late do these hacks stay up at night? If story telling and fantasy is your game, become a tabloid journalist.

Wait to you here the latest fable….

• New manager: David O’Leary

• New Assistant Manager: Roy ‘Feed The Bear’ Aitken

• New Head Coach: Henrik ‘Magnificent 7′, ‘King of Kings’, Larsson

What all this really means is….they haven’t a clue what’s going on, who Celtic are speaking to or who’s on the short list. In a nutshell, it’s all bullshit!

So, until the white smoke bellows out of Celtic Park to announce, officially, who the next boss is, get used to a multitude of fairy stories and fantasies from hackland!

It’s usually where the truth is never told….

Just a wee reminder of what a manager of Celtic can achieve….

Until Gordon Strachan’s successor is found there will be a continuous stream of media speculation, like we get at any transfer window, if not more so.

So instead of indulging in the game of Owen Coyle, Mark McGhee etc..etc why don’t we try and put together a ‘Celtic Manager Identikit’.

While it’s impossible to please everyone, in fact there’s no chance of that judging by some of the comments made since WGS left, there must be a few characteristics needed to manager the Hoops.

Here goes..

1. He must have played or supported Celtic
2. He must hate the Huns
3. He has to have managed at the top level
4. He has to have a knowledge of the Scottish and European game
5. He must be able to command respect in the dressing room
6. He has to be able to negotiate with the board to release funds

….and most importantly,

He must WANT to manage CELTIC!

Well there it is bhoys and ghirls, any suggestions?