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A Night To Remember….Paradise Revisited!
Posted by: | CommentsFantastic Response From The Celtic Family…
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!
Brothers In Arms….
Posted by: | CommentsMON, Ghord And Tony All Targeted By Media
It was bound to happen.
At some point in the season Tony was going to tell the press exactly where to get off. And he did yesterday with the biggest hint yet that Celtic may use the media the same way as the media use them.
And I’m glad.
You see, Tony is an honest big guy, and expects everyone else to be the same, which is no bad thing.
But when it come to dealing with the media, then his honesty is being turned around and manipulated to suit whatever agenda the hack has. Now, deny as they might, certain, not all, journos do HAVE an agenda against Mogga and won’t rest until he either walks away, or is sacked.
These very same hacks are the ones that gave Ghordon Strachan and Martin O’Neill grief at every opportunity. Both eventually treated the press exactly the same as way they were treated.
That led to the hacks turning up the heat on the club and managers at every turn. Making up stories that forced Celtic to take legal action, which of course we won.
Who can forget the Record headline “Thugs and Thieves” about the Bhoys trip to Newcastle?
Well, I’ve said this for a long time.
Celtic Football Club should meet the MINIMUM press duties that their sponsorships require, then do the rest via our own outlets, official website, Celtic View and Channel 67.
Of course, the hacks will still try and distort anything that’s published no matter where it appears but at least we can keep as much in house as possible.
The closer to a media blackout the better, in my opinion.
P.S. The attack on the GAA minibus is an absolute scandal. It’s racist, sectarian and small minded. Where’s the press coverage now?
Click here to read the story.
The New Celtic Manager Identikit
Posted by: | CommentsIs It a Bird? Is It A Plane?
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..
- He must have played or supported Celtic
- He must hate the Huns
- He has to have managed at the top level
- He has to have a knowledge of the Scottish and European game
- He must be able to command respect in the dressing room
- 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?
The Cover-Up Continues….
Posted by: | CommentsSPL Report A Dud
While listening to Radio Snyde on Friday, a caller asked a very pertinent question about the findings of the SPL report submitted by observer Alan Dick, regarding the the bigoted bile that emanated from the Rankers end in last month’s O*d F*rm match.
The groans from the panel of Shug Keevins, Peter McGuire, sorry Martin and Graham Spiers were clearly audible.
They don’t want to talk about this. That was evident. Anyway, the Shug fellow stated categorically that there would be NO action taken against Der Hun.
As far as the SPL are concerned, Dave The Rave and Permatan Bain are doing all they can to eradicate the ‘small minority’ who continue to sing bigoted songs.
In fact the Shugster went on to state that there would be ‘mayhem on the streets’ if the SPL deducted points from us or them!
How come we got dragged into this?
But, it gets better….
Spiers, who at one time was a credible journalist, if that’s possible, went a step further.
Wait ’til you hear this one….
He blamed the current wave of bigotry on ‘two characters from the North of Ireland, Martin O’Neill and Neil Lennon’. These were his exact words.
Forgetting over a century of exclusion and racist employment history, he lay the blame fairly and squarely on the shoulders of these two ‘characters’.
I nearly crashed the car when I heard this blatant attack on two of Celtic’s finest. Yet no-one challenged him.
Spiers is obviously a bitter, bitter ‘man’, who regularly dismisses all of us that use the internet to air our views as cretins, yet he does an ‘online column for The Times’.
This attack came after the bold Graham was waxing lyically about how superior the defence, midfield and attack of the Hun is compared to Celtic’s.
At least us ‘cretins’ openly show our colours. What about you Graham?
Oh aye, and Pedro said nothing worth mentioning, as usual.