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Celtic Diary Tuesday March 4

Was it really twenty years ago, that Fergus McCann rode into town and saved Celtic from oblivion ?

Twenty years ago.

A big thank you as well to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, because if they hadn’t written Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band , then headline writers would have had to rely on their own imaginations this morning.

Friday March 4, 1994  was a great day for Celtic, not so good for Canadian comedian John Candy, though. He had a heart attack and died.

McCann looked back on that day with Hugh Macdonald of the Evening Times, and he also adds that Celtic should move to England, and throws in a couple of other soundbites, because reading the interview, you get the feeling that the wee man is fed up talking about it now. As far as he is concerned, he did what he had to do, and it appears he still can’t understand the fuss. More than that , he is probably struggling with the huge change in the attitude of the press towards him. They seem to like him now. The full interview is here, its worth reading, if only to relive the day again.

McCann interview

Its also worth remembering the effort put in by the Celts for Change group, who seem to have been airbrushed from history by the press. They played a massive part in events back then, backed by supporters and fanzines , and theydeserve a glass or two raised in their name as well

.

The campaign took its toll on these guys, such was the stress involved, but they reckon it was worth it. Here they are today, reminiscing  about those events

Life goes on, and Peter Lawwell continued his climb up the greasy pole of footballs political world by accepting a post on the executive board of the European Club Association . He will join other existing board members including chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of Bayern Munich, AC Milan’s Umberto Gandini, Edwin van der Sar of Ajax and Arsenal’s representative Ivan Gazidis.

The European Club Association is the sole, independent body directly representing football clubs at European level.

Lawwell told Celtic’s official website: “This is a tremendous honour and a role which I very much look forward to undertaking.

“European football is an ever-changing landscape and from the perspective of Celtic, it is vital that we ensure we are at the heart of the action and at the centre of discussions regarding the development of the game.

“As we look to the future, I look forward to representing Celtic, Scottish clubs and the other clubs in Europe to ensure that the voice of these clubs and their supporters is heard.”

All this gallivanting around the continent is great, as long as Scottish football gets something out of it. And as long as Lawwell remembers he’s already got a full time job at Celtic. And at the SFA. And controlling the press, the police and the major banking institutions.

Too much on his plate ? Well, maybe, but lets see what we get out of it before we criticise what appears to be a quangoesque organisation, and if nothing else, it does give us a voice at the top table. Sort of.

When Fraser Forster sits down at the seasons end to decide where he wants to play his football next season, he is going to have a lot of clubs to choose from. Perhaps we could just rent him out short term.

It would be a major surprise if he were to stay, and its probably time to look for a replacement. The club have had a look at Eduardo, of Sporting Braga, several others have been mentioned in despatches, but the latest one, and the most intriguing one, is a possible swap deal incorporating Manchester Utds Anders Lindegaard.

Currently out of favour at United , the 29 year old has something to prove, and he won’t be able to do that at Old Trafford. He has been hampered by injuries recently as well, which makes him the identikit Celtic target.

Thats if Forster chooses Cheshire as his next destination. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also looking at him, as are an assortment of Italian teams.

The Celtic Trust are holding their third supporters open meeting tonight, at the London road supporters club. The Trust aims to raise specific issues with the club, and also to demand answers. They have a way of ruffling feathers on the board, and if anyone has a genuine gripe about the way the club is run, the Trust will help provide a voice for you. Or at the very least help you to use your own wisely. It all kicks off at 7pm, and they deserve your support.

Meanwhile, its kind of ironic that as Celtic celebrate survival across the city they are getting ready to deal with death -again.

Photo: Hehehe HH Mick..

With tomorrow named as the day they could go into administration, we would like to congratulate the appointment of finacial guru Phillip Nash as secretary to the company. Just in time to preside over the carve up of assets. Embedded image permalink

Just a couple of years since the original club died, the support are now discussing some sort of protest to draw attention to their plight, and possibly even force the current stewards out. There are plans being discussed to occupy the ground, to hold a rally at George Square, and even to walk out en masse at the next home game. Perhaps I may be so bold as to venture a suggestion of my own…

They could do a lot worse than listen to this advice, from their own Queen. (Probably .)

In other news, a disappointed Alex Ferguson, interviewed at the Oscar ceremony, passed on his commiserations to Ashley Young, who surprisingly failed to receive a nomination.

And with the current crisis in the Crimea dominating headlines, David Cameron has urged Vladimir Putin not to invade the Ukraine, at least until Britain has built its aircraft carrier and sent out letters to re-enlist all the soldiers he made redundant last year.

Ally McCoist has denied he visited a brothel at the weekend. He apparently put his head around the door and asked the receptionist how much it was for a cheeky wee wank.

She told him it was the same price for him as it it was for every one else.

Alex Ferguson and Billy McNeill were the two players in yesterdays picture, and its difficult to work out what the Celtic legend is thinking in the still. However, not as difficult as it is to work out what David Weir is doing here. Any ideas ?

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Monti
10 years ago

Morning all,
While I will always have a place in my heart for Fergus & still believe Fergus should have done more to preserve OUR 9 in a row!
Fergus did what he said he would do & I’m not arguing with that, it laid the foundations to where we are today!
For me though & I appreciate many others might not agree with me, he should have helped Tommy Burns more with bringing players to the club, he should have kept the 3 amigos & paid them more, he should have went that extra mile towards bringing in quality signings & delivered a side worthy of preserving the 9, but he didn’t!
He did walk away with £46m from an initial investment of £9m, If that had been me i would have put the £9m in & walked away with £9m then put the remainder of £37m into Celtic’s account!
As i said, that’s what i would have done!
Fergus McCann today i salute you for what you did for our club.

A Hero? No.

Frank McGaaaaarvey
10 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I know it’s nitpicking Monti but I also felt that his unfulfilled promise to leave us with a training ground and academy was a bit of a downer. The trail of people (not just the SFA and co. but good Celtic men) that he left in his wake was monumental. From TB to wiggy Wim and all and sundry in between were discarded if they dared voice a contradictory opinion to the bunnet. I now realise that hard-headedness is an essential component of any business person and that is precisely why Fergus was so successful at what he did. There’s no room for sentimentality or softness in the cut throat capitalist world he inhabited. It’s exactly what we needed at the time to get us roaring and screaming into the 21st century rather than the tuck shop accountants who would have killed us once and for all.

Am I eternally grateful though that he showed up when he did and did exactly what he said he was going to? You betcha.

Monti
10 years ago

Well said Frankie Bhoy!

mattgallscot
10 years ago

I need a jobbie

Morto
10 years ago

The only thing missing from that picture is an exit sign pointing left.

Brencelt
10 years ago

Weir heard all the huns talking about EBT’s. Weir not being the sharpest tool in the box, though a tool nonetheless, goes for his EBT (Early Bath Today).

the lurgan tiger
10 years ago

Isnt that Davie Weir still trying to make it back to the heart of the huns defence after an uncharacteristic foray up the park a fortnight before?

old father timc
10 years ago

David Weir is turning round

Admin
10 years ago

Worst Y.M.C.A Village People tribute ever!

elcormaco
10 years ago

Weir:”Shiiiiiiiittt!! Who left Hooper up there with Goain/ Bartley/ Bocanegra/(insert name of another one paced H*n centre half)”

Ive heard _ I think on the Celtic History podcast, that Fergus was willing to put the money in for the training ground on one condition – Kenny Dalglish wouldnt be part of the new regime after he left – and we all know what happended next.

Great moments like the success of the share issue, taking on Jim Farry, stopping the ten, the style of play under Tommy with the 3 amigos, and best of all the stadium are a fine legacy, but there were certainly times you d have wished he was a bit more flexible – things like Bhoys against biogotry for instance may have been well intetnioned but were poorly delivered, seeing all 3 amigos leave over £, seeing them do 9, sacking TB were all lows of his time. He deserves to walk away with his big profit IMO, he added the value to the shares through his vision and efforts, and dserved to be able to sell his shares at the market rate at the time, Its a bit like Chuckles at Greyskull, except 1) he added value to the share price 2) he did what he said he would do without pandering to the loweest common denominator, 3) he didnt bleed the club dry while he was there 4) we know he actually sold his stake. Or as the MSM would now have it, he s our very own Dave King, except 1) he isnt a convicted criminal 2) he had a plan and let others know what it was, 3) he wasnt contaminated by association of the two previouos epic fail regimes 4) he adds value to the share price and 5) he “recscued” Celtic while it still existed 6) he is still not a criminal. That aside, the two situations are spookily similar ; )

There is a very good Harry Brady 2 part podcast interview with Jock Brown – a man I had disregarded as a total baffoon, but have now come to believe he was essential in the plan as he played the role of baffoon very well and soaked up fan and press anger allowing Fergus to carry on wothout copping too much heat himself. Well worth a listen for a wee re assessment – and how Di Canio / Blinker really was a trade all along!

10 years ago

a hope they scabbie assed bassas go doon ‘i’ tubes i’morra, am goni laff ma’ cheeneez aff @ ’em cos ayre a buncha wankas evri feckin
one o’ em, bon voyage govan wankas yeez deserve evrihin’ that yeez get, and a hope the JAMBOS GO south as well coz yeez scabbie assed hunz iz aw’ i same get it , now H E A R T H I S, OR N O T E B E N E 4 YOU SCUMBAGS G I R F U Y TEEH FECKIN’ HEE

10 years ago

WEEL INTENDED BANTA O’ COORSE

Charlie Saiz
10 years ago

10 Pedants formed a suicide pact after reading your previous post…
Top Tip:Press the “Weegietext Lock” button on your Keyboard Franco.

pensionerbhoy
10 years ago

Ralph

Late call again. I think we should simply remember Fergus for the positives. There may have been unfulfilled promises and unsuccessful management decisions. But it was the survival of the club that was essential and he most certainly managed to do that. No plan nor outcome is ever perfect but if the main objectives are achieved then it has been successful. So Fergus deserves nothing but our thanks and praise. However, I do support your call for recognition of the crucial part played by Celts for Change. Some guys made sacrifices beyond the call of duty and were still paying the heavy price after many years and possibly even till today. We owe them our eternal gratitude even though not one asked for it. I guess it is the way of life that the chiefs receive all the glory even though the braves dis the fighting.

I hope that is the last photographic reminder of nightmarish experiences. It is time for good cheer and some jelly and ice cream. Or are you actually the Marquis de Sade in disguise. By the way, Weir just didn’t want to miss the chance of using his free bus pass.

H H

H H

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