Former manager Gordon Strachan said it all at the end of last nights benefit match between the Celtic and Manchester United legends when he told the 55,000 fans that Celtic are a special club.

Of course he’s right, Celtic are a special club.

And the heartbeat of that special club are the fans, The Celtic Family.

We often talk about players not disappointing, but the Faithful never cease to amaze with a dedication that knows no bounds.

To turn up in such numbers considering the current economic climate is remarkable. (Having said that, the pricing for the game was bang on. For once, the club got it right.) In fact, I can’t remember seeing so many kids at a Celtic game, particularly an evening game.

This must serve the club well for the future, giving these kids the chance to see players like Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson, Lubo, Lenny and of course Henrik, will leave a lasting impression that should have the young ones begging to return to Paradise.

The occasion was fantastic, with both sets of players and let’s not forget the two managers Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan giving their all. And the game had everything, great saves from both Packy Bonner and Patrick Kielty, a penalty from Henke, the first of his hat-trick, a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions and some trickery from Lubo, who else?

Add to that appearances from actor and big Celtic fan Gerard Butler, former boxers Nigel Benn and Steve Collins and celebs Ralf Little, who can play, and Angus Deayton, who can’t, all made the occasion more memorable.

Yesterday I wrote that John Kennedy was the real star of the show, and of course he was, his gesture to help Oxfams East Africa Appeal was just immense, but if ever there was a leading man to help your cause, then the King of Kings is THAT man.

I never thought I’d see Henrik in the Hoops again, boy am I glad I did, it was almost as emotional last night as his final league game against Dundee United. If only we could look forward to seeing him play for the Bhoys again…..

It truly was a night to remember, no wonder we call the place Paradise!

When Martin O’Neill brought striker John Hartson to Celtic Park it was just after the big Welshman had reportedly failed a medical over at the Bigotdome due to a ‘dodgy knee’.

According to BBJ, St Martin told him that only a hole in the heart would stop him signing for Celtic. Luckily for everyone there were no hitches with the medical and John went on to spend more than five years in the Hoops scoring over 100 league goals.

Neil Lennon might find himself in a similar situation with his assessment of Croation goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa. Unlike the Hartson transfer where O’Neill spent £6M, the player has just been released from his former club Spartak Moscow so there won’t be a transfer fee to negotiate, however like BBJ, there is a question mark over his fitness.

It has been reported that Stipe has a ‘dodgy knee’ and the medical will show that, but sometimes a manager has to take a wee gamble. Spurs manager never mentioned any fitness problems with the player when he was on loan at White Hart Lane, so maybe Lenny will have to go with his intuition.

Just like Martin did.

Let’s get one think clear from the start, I like Big John Hartson, I think he was a fantastic player for Celtic and did a great job for the Bhoys.

He came to Celtic when Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton were already an established partnership in Martin O’Neills team, and muscled his way into the first team scoring goals a plenty along the way.

I’m sure he’s the first to admit that playing for Celtic was the best time of his footballing career.

So, can you imagine my surprise yesterday when talking to keys and Gray on Talksport, BBJ described Ian Wright as the best centre forward he had the pleasure to play with!

Now, Ian Wright was a great player for Arsenal, there’s no doubting that, but a better player than Henrik?

Don’t think so.

When Wrighty was nearing the end of his career he did venture North to play for the Hoops, without much success I might add, whereas Henrik left Celtic to play for Barcelona and Manchester United, winning a Champions League medal along the way!

Enough said….

Hate to disagree with you big man, it will always be Henrik for me…..and the Faithful!

As the famous old song says “We Don’t Care If We Win Lose or Draw” so with this in mind The CelticFanzone.Net Bhoys & Ghirls plus the Cork CSC are having a Blow Away The Blues Party featuring the fabulous Foggy Dew in the 10 Queens Drive Hotel(formerly The Dunkeld Hotel)Glasgow this coming Friday night(14th May) at 7.30pm with all monies raised going directly to the John Hartson Cancer Foundation. Tickets for the event cost £5.

The hotel function suite only holds around 100 but there are still some spaces available by contacting The FRP(Phil Agnew) by email at phil57@celticfanzone.net

Hail Hail……The FRP……

It’s Monday morning here in Glasgow on the eve of Celtic’s Champions League play-off  first leg against London giants Arsenal.

And all I can read about is the usual spouting off from opposition players on how they’re going to come up to Celtic Park and do to Celtic what they did to Everton, or words to that effect.

Well, like most of the Faithful I’m sure you’ve heard it all before.

Going back nearly 40 years Leeds United were delighted when they drew Celtic in the old European Cup, because the English media had Don Revie’s men down as the favourites to win the cup.

What happened? 1-0 To Celtic in Leeds and 2-1 to Celtic at Hampden.

Years later the same thing again. Blackburn this time. 1-0 Celtic Park, followed by a Henrik Larrson inspired 2-0 win at Ewood Park.

What was it Souness said about, “Men against boys” after the first leg?

Then of course we drew Liverpool in the next round. Surely the men from Merseyside would knock out the Hoops.

Nope. 1-1 at Celtic Park, then a memorable John Hartson strike to seal a 2-0 victory at Anfield.

So, despite all these ‘great’ English football clubs having more money and supposedly better players, very rarely can they match the spirit and endeavour of a Celtic team.

And with the backing of 60,000 Celtic fans on one of our special European nights, very few teams leave Glasgow with anything, just ask Fergie, Ancellotti and Souness….

In a week of mixed fortunes on the park, winning at Wembley and then losing at Paradise, some really good news has reached Timdom today.

Hoops hero John Hartson has been moved from the ‘critically ill’ state to that of ‘serious’ which in laymans terms means a great but gradual improvement.

John’s critical care consultant Dr Pushpinger Mangat, from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust, said in the latest condition statement that the big man is “improving gradually, and if this improvement is sustained, we will consider chemotherapy at some point next week”.

Everyone will be praying his improvement continues and he makes a full recovery.

God bless, John.

Over the last 24-48 hours much has been said about former Celt John Hartson and his enormous fight with cancer.

As far as we’re concerned, the Celtic family, all we can do is hope and pray.

This prayer was posted on our site yesterday, please click this link and pray for the big man.

Keep Fighting Big Man, We're All Praying For You

I was sad to read this morning that John Hartson’s condition has deteriorated dramatically in the  last 24 hours.

News from Wales was brief and to the point.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said in a statement: “He is currently being cared for by the critical care team at Morriston and is receiving round-the-clock care aiming to stabilise his condition. Unfortunately, cancer has now also been diagnosed in his lungs.

“He will resume radiotherapy and chemotherapy as soon as possible.”

A statement from Hartson’s family read: “His partner Sarah, mum, dad, three children, brother, two sisters and very close friends are all continuing to support John in any way we can.

“He is receiving outstanding care from all the medical and surgical staff and we would like to thank everyone at both Singleton and Morriston, as well as the excellent ambulance staff.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill from many thousands of football fans, players, clubs and sporting figures and we have drawn strength from this support.

“Finally, we would like to ask that John’s privacy, and that of our family, is respected as John continues his treatment in hospital.”

Everyone in the Celtic family are praying for you John. God Bless.

When he pulled on the Hoops, no one could ever question his commitment or his will to win. In his six years as a Celt, John Hartson always gave 100%.

John In Happier Times

Sadly, those are the qualities he’s going to have to rely on to win his battle against cancer.

The news over the weekend that the big man was diagnosed with brain cancer after complaining about severe headaches is  a devastating outcome for John and his family.

Unfortunately, it’s time’s like this when you realise health is more important that anything else. Including football.

We all wish you a speedy recovery John, the whole Celtic family are behind you.

Hail! Hail!