And so, we mark the passing of another from our greatest era...
They never die, those who live on in the hearts of those they leave behind, God bless, and sleep well.
Celtic beat Aberdeen on Sunday, a clear improvement on the start to last season when the hoops faltered away to Hearts. Interestingly, only Calum MacGregor and Greg Taylor started both games, which gives an idea of the changes the side has undergone during the first year of Ange Postecoglou’s reign.
Stephen Welsh opening the scoring early on when he headed home a corner, which also shows how far we’ve come, and Jots curled one in towards the end after things were changed around a bit when Aberdeen had began to frustrate with their somewhat less than adventurous approach.
Although they had forced Joe Hart into a save as early as the 82nd minute.
Something Celtic will have to deal with this season is the tactic of cramming as many players into the box as possible to counter the pull back from the wings. Aberdeen often had four or five in the penalty area, restricting space as well as cutting out the cross.
so it is surprising it took so long for the players to realise that, which is perhaps what the manager meant when he said that his charges were wasteful in front of goal.
when Giakoumakis and Abada entered the fray, the ball was played in front of the defenders when cut back, which seemed to work better, with the forward running across them, and Giakoumakis was unlucky not to open his account with this tactic.
For the first time in quite a while i got to see the action from the stands and not from a camera mans point of view, and it was certainly enlightening.
The work rate of all of the players is astonishing, off the ball , regardless of whether or not we are in possession. We’re maybe not appreciating that but next time you get a chance, try to watch what is going on off the ball. You’ll see what I mean.
The pace of one or two players is frightening, Kyogo and Maeda especially, but the biggest difference for me, and perhaps something that is a sign of things to come, or maybe even things that are already here, is the speed of thought.
That still has room for improvement, but sometimes we need to appreciate how far we’ve come instead of how far we think we have to go.
One move, a swift interchange that ended with the ball at the feet of David Turnbull was so quick and precise that when Turnbull found the ball at his feet his face said “How the fuck did that get here ? ” and the chance was lost……
So, room for improvement but signs of real quality.
Stephen Welsh caught the eye with a solid display, though to fit in he does need to speed up a wee bit and stop wandering forward with the ball, as the americans would say he needs to get with the programme, but any criticism is churlish as he was certainly a contender for man of the match, as was his partner at the back Cameron Carter Vickers, who personified the attitude of the team with a late saving tackle reminiscent to an extent of the great Paul Elliot on Mark Hateley.
Other than that, it was business as usual really, a few hefty challenges on Celtic players unpunished, a more than decent shout for a penalty turned down and a decisive change by the manager when he thought it was necessary.
And of course, the media sniping.
Here’s how the manager handled a bit of sniping about his task in keeping a large squad , which is surely turning the bluest of non Celtic fan a little green with envy…..
“They are at Celtic Football Club. If that is not happiness for them, I don’t know what is, they can find it somewhere else. It is not my job to keep them happy. My job is to make sure that we get the best out of them and give them every opportunity. And they will all get opportunities. They know that.
“If you want to play at a big club, and this is a big club, the reality of it is that part of that is you will have competition for places. It keeps you at your best and also you know you will require a big squad of players.
“This group of players understands that and they work hard every day. The game is a by-product of how we train every day and training levels are high because we have a strong squad.
“If you just have a strong eleven, then your training levels are not great, which means even the first eleven are not improving at a rate. My job is not to keep them happy. My job is to make sure we keep them ready and able to take their opportunity when it comes along
The occasion itself was well worth the trip, with singer Liam McGrandles now over the shock of a Lennon CSC member unplugging his amp mid song in the Kerrydale Bar ….he wanted to charge his phone….and leading the crowd in excellent renditions of “Grace ” and “Let the People Sing ” , although I thought actor James McAvoy could have been a little more honest when he did the Windfall draw and was asked why he was in Glasgow. All he had to do was say he was here to do the Windfall draw.
Traffic leaving the ground was again a nightmare, so nothing really changes, and you have to tip your hat to the council for narrowing the road and adding a cycle lane to allow the four cyclists who use the lock up at the ground an easy and safe getaway.
Have a look, seriously, there are four spaces for those who go to the game on their bicycles to lock their ..I hesitate to say vehicle…safely away during the game.
Four, so whlst the council thought a cycle lane would be just the ticket, the club were more realsitic about the demand for cycling facilities.
For me, anyone who wants to spend time and money on that ridiculous hobby should get an indoor one with no wheels where they can pedal away to their hearts content and watch the telly at the same time.
And we can have another lane back on London road …..?
In the meantime, let’s talk about Yogi……
R I P,big fella.
Big Jock hated it when Yogi wouldn’t chase a lost cause such as a ball clearly speeding out for a shy. I saw Yogi score 5 against Aberdeen. He was playing in gutties because the pitch was frozen. What a great ball player for such a big guy and a great and effective entertainer. Sorely missed!
RIP, Yogi. You are one of the greatest team ever – never to be forgotten.
Sad to hear that one of my boyhood heroes, John Hughes, the original Yogi, has passed away. Here’s a few reminiscences from an unapologetic Celtic Da.
I remember his debut. Against Third Lanark at Celtic Park in the first match of the season. We were taken aback by the appearance of this giant in the centre forward position. I remember him jumping for a cross with the Thirds keeper dislodging the ball and putting it over. Little did we then know that John would go on to thrill and frustrate us for years. It has to be said though that the good massively outweighed the other days.
For such a big man Yogi could be very nimble with quick feet. He starred for us on a frozen pitch wearing sand shoes, dancing all over the pitch perfectly balanced. He also scored some extraordinary goals where he seemed to take on the opposing defence single handed. A real one-off.
My first trip to foreign lands was when we went to take on Sunderland at Roker Park in a pre-season friendly in 1965. We hammered them 5-1 and, despite the presence of new striker Joe McBride, Yogi was the star. In anEnglish documentary screened some time later we were taken inside the Sunderland dressing room at half time. Charley Hurley, the Irish captain at the time, complained bitterly that the defence needed help to contain that big bastard, Yogi of course.
Arguably his most significant match came in the unofficial British championship match against Leeds at Hampden. He absolutely terrorised Jack Charlton in the European Cup semi final. Charlton had the reputation of being a hard man who dominated opposing forwards. Not that night when Yogi scored and totally unnerved the Leeds defence.
A sad farewell then to a real Celtic great. He was a real gentleman and a true Celt. He never once complained about missing out on the great day in Lisbon although he was a huge influence in getting us there. Thanks for the memories John.
I was at the Sunderland game. Yogi was immense that day.
RIP Big Yogi, a fine outside left. My fondest memory when Big Jock played him up front against Jack Charlton in the Leeds semifinal, Charlton didn’t know if he was coming or going.
Overall a good performance. O’Reilly at times sublime, first competitive game will only get stronger. The smell of fear is very real on the sooth side and their media buddies twisting every word.
If they had a better manager at the Spaghetti dome things could have been different. Note that the MIBs are doing their usual unbiased match officiating.
Big Yogi at times underated, but what a powerhouse,
A joy to watch, a big man with a big heart, thoughts and prayers with his family
Yogi RIP, thank you for 1967
Hi I just want to say big John scoring goals was brilliant. The joy that he expressed was amazing. Truly a great CELT !!
I remember a photograph in I think it was the Topical Times of Yogi on a mazy run shown by a series of dashes and a player from each of the other teams lying on the ground unable to stop him.
Although I never got to see Big Yogi in action, I was memorised by the stories my Dad told me when he was at the Celtic games. The defenders would be searching for a 4×2, as this was the only way to stop him, You’ll Never Walk Alone Big Yogi, God Bless and fly high.
A sad day indeed as we say farewell to my all-time favourite player. There was no finer sight in football than the Bear on the rampage. Sincere condolences to all his family. RIP big man.
Another sad day for us and the Lions. Yogi, on his day was a tremendous player, and the game v Aberdeen in his sannies is still memorable. He ragdolled Charlton each time they met, must have been a nightmare for Big Jack.
Lucky you to have even heard what James McAvoy said, P.A. at Celtic Park is still atrocious, a complete failure, issue has not been addressed in years.
Never saw Yogi play in the flesh but have been fortunate enough to meet him, lovely guy, a true Celt in every way.
Wishing the family strength at this difficult time. RIP big man
I saw big John’s first game against Third Lanark where he scored. Shortly afterwards he terrorised Doug Baillie at Ibrox and scored in that fixture too. As he gathered momentum, he was virtually unstoppable. In a game at Cappielow He received the ball on the left just outside the penalty area, evaded 5 tackles and ran on to score.
England World Cup hero, Jackie Charlton, just could not cope with Yogi neither in the European Cup semi final nor in an international fixture. He left Celtic far too soon in 1971 and, most certainly, that was not his decision.
Thank you, John. You were a hero.
He was the 1960s equivalent of Sammy: he could have you either tearing your hair out or gasping in amazement with his outrageous skill.
Many will have recounted the Aberdeen, Scottish League XI, and Leeds games; I have another that is etched deep in my memory.
The game in question was at Tannadice in early 1966; it pished down relentlessly for the entire 90 minutes.
DU had three Huns in their line-up – Davie Wilson, Jimmy Millar and Wilson Wood.
The Buzz Bomb put us ahead, before United equalised late in the game. Enter The Bear: Yogi scored with a few minutes left after a run through the mud from the halfway line with Millar trying to pull his jersey and only succeeding in flapping about like a streamer in the big man’s wake. Pat McMahon scored a third to seal the victory at one of our many hitherto ‘bogey’ grounds.
There were also his TWO penalties in the 1965 LCF against TFOD; a victory that franked the emerging Lions as the dominant force in Scottish football. The Huns could not contain their obvious appreciation of our performance and ran on to the track to congratulate Yogi and Caesar during the lap of honour. A Cup Final tradition that had been in place for almost a century was subsequently banned.
A Celtic man to the end, and a true legend; another hero from my youth goes to the other Paradise.
RIP
John Yogi Hughes RIP. The great man was unfortunately a bit before my time but having read all about him as well as having seen a fair amount of video footage of his contributions, it’s not hard to conclude that he would’ve been an amazing player to watch.
On a happier note we have the huns’ defeat and performance in the CL from last night. The 2-0 scoreline in Belgium flattered them. McGregor was benched, Kent and Morelos injured and I really don’t see them being able to replace Arribo or Bassey with the same quality this season. Early days I know, but I get the feeling that with its backbone and gut wrenched out, the true blue poo XI looks like a toothless animal that could even suffer serious woes on the domestic front, never mind struggling in Europe. Here’s hoping!
John Yogi Hughes RIP. The great man was unfortunately a bit before my time but having read all about him as well as having seen a fair amount of video footage of his contributions, it’s not hard to conclude that he would’ve been an amazing player to watch.
Rest In Peace, Yogi.
Hopefully you’re having a swally wae all the Bhoys and the Big Fella Himself now that He’s given you the space to shake off this mortal coil.
HH to Big John Yogi Hughes, so called because just like his cartoon counterpart he terrified and infuriated every Ranger in the park 🙂
Rest In Peace, Yogi.
Hopefully you’re having a swally wae all the Bhoys and the Big Fella Himself now that He’s given you the space to shake off this mortal coil.
HH to Big John Yogi Hughes!
Rest In Peace, Yogi.
Not caught the Rossco game back (the dodgy stream I was watching on dropped out before their goal and wasn’t great when it returned) so don’t know much about the following from The Athletic.
Furuhashi and Giakoumakis as a front two did not work – will Celtic use it more often?
archive .ph/c6jUE (remove space)
From Hun fanboy Scott Mullen, who’s Beeb match preview includes:
Rangers are aiming to reach the Champions League group stage for the second year running and the 12th time overall.
Must have dreamt Malmo humping the Huns home and away.
From the Beeb’s old fishwives page:
Rangers are Scotland’s most successful club in European competition according to a table of points collected since 1955-56, with the Ibrox side in 10th – the second best British team behind Manchester United – and Celtic in 15th spot.
I’m sure, not just us, but 6/7 times winners, Liverpool, must be gutted to be less successful than the mighty Gers.
Although, as 14 times winners, Real Madrid, aren’t as successful on the world stage then that might soften the blow.