Celtic Diary Monday September 8: All Good Fun In The Name Of Charity.

Beram Kayal has become a father for the first time.. He announced it on social media sites over the weekend;

“Today I have been graced with the birth of my first child Pirlo Kayal,” he wrote.

“My wife Angela and Pirlo are both doing well. It’s been an emotional day, especially for my parents who have came to see the birth of their first grandchild. 

Personally, I’d be asking my wife why she wants to name a child after another footballer. Especially an Italian one. Still, no doubt its all innocent, like when my wife explained to me the little known scientific fact that  premature children are often initially a different colour from their parents.

Paul McStay enjoyed his day in the sun yesterday. The legendary midfielder, who now lives in Australia, returned for a charity match at Celtic Park, and probably remembered why he stayed his whole career there.

He told the official site;

“The whole weekend has been fantastic, the dinner last night was great fun, and we raised a lot of money there as well. The players from both sides and all the guys from the entertainment world had a good time and mixed with the fans.

“It just carried on today. It was a wonderful occasion and the players put on a decent game and scored a few goals. The fans were fantastic, and those who turned up engaged in the game and made it really fun as well.

“Sometimes you get charity games where there isn’t an atmosphere but the fans were really up for it, probably because there was a bit of quality and fun on the park as well.

“When the place is full on European nights, that’s what football is all about, but the other side to Celtic is Celtic FC Foundation which is going from strength to strength and raising money for a lot of good causes.”

“Making the substitution in getting me off made the difference in the game,” he laughed. But to see Frank and big John score was great for some of the younger fans who may have never seen them play.

“While in the middle, Lubo and Stan were strutting their stuff. All in all, it was a great occasion for the Celtic fans.

“There were some stars in Rio’s team like Paul Scholes and Zola and it was great for the fans to see them. I know it’s not an intense match but they still showed some flashes of brilliance. 

His side won the match 3-2, with Frank MacAvennie, James McAvoy and John Hartson scoring the goals. But it wasn’t about the result. It was about saying hello to Paul McStay, and letting him know we haven’t forgotten what he did for the club, when he could have left and made a name for himself on the world stage.

 It simply doesn’t bear thinking about how bad the early nineties would have been without him, and had he left history itself might have taken a different turning. After all, it was bad during that period, but with McStay around at least we started most seasons with a bit of hope. Until around October .

“It was lovely and nice to be back. It brought back a lot of fond memories and I really appreciated it,” said the Hoops legend.

“The players enjoyed being part of it here today and the fans did as well. I’m delighted I came over as it was a very worthwhile trip.”  

Lubomir Moravcik and Paul McStay in the same midfield. If they were at their peak in the same team we’d have been untouchable, especially if you added that dreadlocked Swedish fellow…

There was nearly a bit of bother after the game when two lesser mortals jumped in front of a supporters camera after he had plucked up the courage to ask McStay for a picture, but it was all sorted out amicably with a boot in the conkers.

The serious football began later in the day, with Scotland narrowly losing out in Dortmund to Germany 2-1. The Scots weren’t expected to take anything from the game, but as it wore on there was a feeling that something might happen. Ikeche Anya, which sounds more like something you put cream on than a footballer, scored a great equaliser, and but for a rugby tackle on Sean Maloney may well have repeated the feat towards the end of the game.

Former Celtic manager now Scotland boss Gordon Strachan had every right to fell disappointed after the game, not least because the referee had a nightmare, but only when Scotland were on the attack.

At full time, Strachan took his jacket off as Scotland were denied by the whistle a chance for a last corner kick, which also denied substitute keeper Craig Gordon a shot at glory. It looked as though the fiery wee ginge was about to lamp the ref, but instead he held a dignified stance and waited for him on the car park instead. With a bat.

Elsewhere, Ireland beat Georgia 2-1 with former Celt Aiden McGeady the two goal star of the show. His second goal was probably the only time his twinkly feet bemused a defender and the finish being of equal quality  in his entire career.

He deserves it though. He’s a quality player, and he should be recognised as such.

Don’t be surprised if the bookies are shut this morning when you nip out to put a line on. Not only did West Britain beat Hungary 2-1 in Hungary, Albania overcame Portugal 1-0 away from home, which means the only people to rival bankers in removing our wages would have been out celebrating until the early hours.

If you go past a Weatherspoons this morning and see a group of men huddled over coffee and a calculator , it’ll be them.

Arsenal haven’t given up on Virgil van Dijk yet, even though it’ll be January before they can hope to entice him to the bright lights of London and all the temptations that offers. If we continue to remind his girlfriend of that he won’t be allowed to go anywhere.

Finally, a word about the new club over on the south side of the city. Or rather a word for them.

The share issue isn’t attracting many investors, the outstanding loans and bills aren’t being paid, and the only light at the end of the tunnel is a speeding express train.

We showed a picture of Wayne Biggins on Saturday, who I had seen play for Stoke City before he joined Celtic, and I actually thought he was a more than decent striker. But he didn’t do it at Celtic.

Another who promised much bit didn’t quite make it is in the picture below with Tommy Burns. Who is he ?

In the comments on Saturday is a note about a charity game between ex Celts and Ex First Rangers players, to raise money for the better together campaign.

Is this true ? I can’t find any information on it. Anyone help ?

This sort of thing needs to be nipped in the bud..