Apologies for the non-appearance of the diary yesterday, as I had to pop down to Gatwick airport to pick up my sons girlfriend. To avoid controversy, I took him with me.
That meant spending a day on the M25 motorway, the ring road which surrounds London where cars circle hoping for a gap in the traffic so they can enter the capital.
Then, it was off to Chester to drop another son off at his flat, so it was near midnight before I settled down with a bag of wine gums-I’m still off the drink, at least until the trial-to watch the game.
I managed to avoid the result all day, which unfortunately for the purpose of writing the diary consisted of no hilarious misunderstandings where the score was leaked, although the vicar did pop round for tea and ended up being locked in an upstairs wardrobe.
I think she collects them.
The game was not unlike a champions league game-hear me out-as Partick looked more composed on the ball, and settled into a passing game quicker than the hoops. They were also immediately behind the ball when they lost possession, but the biggest surprise of all was when Celtic scored from a corner, with Georgios Samaras heading Celtic into the lead before the break.
In the second half , Partick grabbed an equaliser after the Celtic defence switched off for a bit, and it was left to substitute Amido Balde to grab a winner after he got tired of waiting for samaras to pass to him-if you watch the game again, you’ll notice that Samaras doesn’t seem to notice him at all-and simply ran straight at the firhill defence and slotted the ball past keeper Scott Fox, who had put in a decent shift up until then.
Fraser Forster was forced into a couple of good saves, which made the game even more like a European match, and Efe Ambrose threatened to win the award for Particks man of the match, as he reverted to his bombscare style of defending, but other than that, it was three points and another step towards ten in a row.
A knee injury to Samaras-he seemed to cut himself on a blade of grass-and a concussion to Emilio Izzaguerre gave cause for concern, but both should be okay for Amsterdam, while Mikael Lustig has turned of his i-pod and put his hip hop on hold.
Which doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I’m sure thats what they said.
Amido Balde winner made most of the headlines, with Neil Lennon delighted that one of his strikers has finally found the net;
“We know what we have got with Amido. He knows and we know that he is here for the long haul and we are going to try to polish off the rough edges that he has.
“We think he has got great attributes and we saw that today.
“He has been very patient. He understands where he is within the squad and he will be a good player for Celtic.
“I have maintained that as the season progresses we will see more of Amido.
“He hasn’t got frustrated, he is listening and trying to learn and you can see he brings a different dimension to the team.
“When things get a bit physical, he is a great option to have and I thought his goal was terrific.
“It was a good game, a good test for us. In spells we weren’t at our best but it was a great win.
“We should have been home and hosed at half-time, we had three really great chances on top of the goal we scored.”
Virgil van Dijk was partcularly pleased. In his rush to congatulate the big striker, he clubbed Emilio Izzaguerre, which led to the Honduran being stretchered off. Poor Izzy, who was already struggling after an accidental kick to the head, didn’t know where he was. When somebody told him he was in Maryhill, it only added to his discomfort.
Summing the game up, Lennon added;
“It was a good game, a really good test.
“In spells I didn’t think we were at our best, which is probably understandable after European exertions in midweek. But it was a great win.
“We should have been home and hosed at half-time – we had three great chances on top of the goal we scored.
“But we dug out a fantastic win in difficult conditions against a very good side.
“We never expected it to be a stroll. Thistle’s results haven’t gone their way at home but in the last two games they played well against Hibs and Inverness.
“At 1-0 the game was still there for either team but we came away with the three points under
difficult circumstances.
“I couldn’t be happier we kept this good run going.
“It is a great position to be in and the players are focused on these games.
“I didn’t think we were at our best and a couple of players looked a little bit off colour.
“You always want to use the squad a bit more but when we have made major changes it has backfired at times. We have been mindful of that but with Dundee United and then Ajax, which is a crucial game in our season, we will make changes for next week which may be enforced anyway.
“James Forrest, Charlie Mulgrew and Derk Boerrigter are all training this week and they will add to the reinforcements.”
Elsewhere, Lennon has had to deal with stories about a couple of his players leaving. Goalkeeper Fraser Forster is currently house hunting in altrincham, which is to be expected, but now it seems Cardiff are after James Forrest;
Lennon said;
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if other clubs were looking at James because he is a brilliant player.
“But he signed a long-term contract 18 months ago. We are months and months away from the window – he is not for sale.
“I don’t know if people are trying to unsettle players here.
“It’s as if everyone wants me to sell a player every month – people talked about Virgil van Dijk, Scott Brown, Fraser Forster and now James. These players are not going anywhere.
“We are in a very stable position as a club and that is something which is a rarity in this day and age.
“The players are happy, vibrant and we have a lot to look forward to. We are on a great run domestically and we’re in a hell of a group in the Champions League where we have competed brilliantly in all three games.”
That might not stop Joe Ledley leaving on a Bosman, although that does seem a little strange as the Welshman has been nothing but hapy at Celtic, but another player , Kris Commons is already being spoken of it terms of a coaching role at the club;
“Kris is a player I would like to keep around for quite a while if I could,”
“And maybe with a view to staying on here afterwards as well.
“In maybe a coaching capacity, again that is something I would sit down and discuss with him because he has got the talent for it and he has certainly got the personality as well.
“I think it is important we keep players on here who understand the club. We could certainly contemplate that.
“He is comfortable here. He loves it and his family are settled here. He has played really well the last couple of seasons, he has been fantastic for us.”
Despite all the stories, the speculation and the downright untruths, it isn’t a given that there will be a mass exodus in January, even if it looks that way at times.
Gary Hooper, who moved to Norwich to further his England chances, is a prime example of a big money move backfiring careerwise, and while we still wish him luck down there, its looking unlikely he’s going to have any. Still, at least he got his capital letters back, which should please him.
In fact, its surely no coincidence that he sat next to Kris Commons at the Ajax game, and now Commons could be staying with Celtic for not only the rest of his playing career, but some time beyond that as well..
Yesterdays Mail on Sunday carried the picture of a couple of soldiers saluting in the style of Nazis from the Second World War-the one the Mail wasn’t too sure who’s side to be on;
Which caused outrage in the home counties.
Shameful: UK soldiers under investigation after they were photographed performing Nazi salute in Helmand
- MPs’ anger that gesture could be dismissed as ‘Loyalist tribute’
- Picture believed to have been taken at an Army base in Helmand Province
- It shows serving British soldiers two of which are giving Nazi-style salutes
- They are standing in front of a Union Flag and the flag of Northern Ireland,
- ‘Invicta Loyal’ is the name of a Glasgow Rangers supporters’ club in Kent
- MoD spokesman says the two soldiers seen saluting ‘have been spoken to’
The Scotsman picked up on it today..
TWO British army soldiers have been photographed standing in front of the Union flag making apparent Nazi-style salutes.
The pair are dressed in camouflage fatigues in the image, published yesterday in a Sunday paper.
Their gesture could also be an apparent show of solidarity with Northern Irish Loyalists, although Unionist MPs dismissed this suggestion.
The Union flag is inscribed with the words “Invicta Loyal”, the name of a Kent-based Glasgow Rangers supporters club, and below it hangs the flag of Northern Ireland.
There is a suggestion the soldiers may be making a “Red Hand of Ulster” salute.
But Democratic Unionist MP Sammy Wilson said: “This is not a salute made by marching bands [in Northern Ireland].
“It is not clear what the context is but I do not think it can be explained away as some type of Red Hand of Ulster salute.”
Jeffrey Donaldson MP, of the Democratic Unionist Party, added: “Anyone who would imitate a Nazi salute in front of the Union flag, or when wearing the uniform dishonours these flags and the British Army.
“Any symbolism associated with fascism has no place in the Unionist tradition or any regiment of the British Army.”
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the men were serving soldiers when the photo was taken, reportedly at an army base in Afghanistan.
The MoD said the image is at least three and a half years old and has been circulating on online forums, the incident has been investigated and “administrative action” was taken at the time, in which the soldiers were dealt with by their chain of command. It is not known if they were dismissed.
The Mail may not be everyones cup of tea, but when they get their teeth into something, they don’t let go.
Just ask the killers of Stephen Lawrence…..
Its difficult to explain, or even imagine, the damage and hurt that will be felt in parts of England when they see this photograph, and I don’t think we’ve heard or seen the last of it.
We’ve had a sneak preview of the front page for next week…
Seriously, if I was involved with the Scottish MSM this week, I’d be running with this story. Otherwise, the Mail is going to make them look incredibly inept and perhaps even compliant.
One does wonder sometimes if the MSM are advised not to follow up on certain leads, despite all the evidence that there might be a story there somewhere…
In other news, the ” big storm ” has caused several homes to be without power throughout the country, and there are also worries that some people may lose their homes.
The storm, known as “The Coalition “, had battered parts of the south east overnight, but has now been downgraded in status to “Scottish Summer ”
Saturdays diary asked for the odd one out between Celtic, Dundee Utd , Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, and surprisingly, no-one noticed that only Aberdeen doesn’t begin and end with the same letter.
With questions like that, I’m thinking of starting a screen repair service.
Whats going on here ?
Incidentally, thanks to everyone for their comments regarding the recent remarks on another website. Honestly, those remarks didn’t bother me. At least it means they cared enough to say something, now, complete indifference would have been different….
Hello…. ? Is anybody there ? Hello……?
That appears to be the Rapid Vienna team conning UEFA officials into believing one of theirs was hit by a Buckie bottle thrown from the Jungle. I mean, FFS, EVERYBODY knows they only drank half-bottles in the Jungle.
…… the wee twat that did it got a kood kicking, but I don’t think that was enough to swing UEFA’s decision
Sorry Bartly,
Eldorado and Lanlique were the wines of choice for Jungle connisseurs in the eighties.
I personally preferred El-Dorado myself but hey ho we were a bit upmarket in our scheme
El-d to those in the know or a bottle of “who you lookin at” if you prefer.
Shit! It’s Gary Glitter!
^ “Hello…… Hello”
Ah Rapid Vienna..i was away watching U2 at the Barrowlands that night. Then went to Old Trafford for the reply, missed my Maths prelim. Been paying for it ever since!
Just a guess but is it the last Hun photographer allowed in Celtic Park?
Rapid Vienna. Is that the 12-inch version Midge Ure recorded when he was on speed?
Not long now before Ultravox and Simple Minds play The Hydro…
“This means nothing to me….oh Alzheimers!”
“Dont you forget about….. erm, uhm, thingumijig”
The official’s are amazed that peter the pointer missed a penalty that evening. Just as I was with my tenner bet on the Tic to win 4-0 at 50/1. I missed my drop of in Elgin and yes I woke up in Buckie. A true fact.I never went on the trip to manchester as would have ended up in buckfast!
Yup it’s those cheats of rapid telling ref about bottle that had been thrown onto pitch completely missing the rapid player completely. I was in the old Celtic end & clearly saw the bottle come flying onto the pitch. They then changed their story that he’d been hit by a coin – a Scottish fan throwing money away?? Never!!
Canna believe they went all the way to the final that year so glad Everton pumped them.
Ralph
Another comment stuck somewhere on the M25. I doubt it will ever find an exit. Short staffed today so will need to limit my second effort to a few words. F**k, f**k, f**k! To be fr**k! I do not know why I comment on the Dairy. I only get milked.
Cheers!
H H
Definitely Rapid Vienna – November 1984.
Desimond and I must be of the same age as I went to the other U2 concert – Unforgettable Fire Tour (they played on the Tuesday and the Wedenesday I think.
I however sat my last prelim the day before (I was in 4th year) got a bus to Old Tafford for the Replay there were loads of them leaving from George Square organised by AT Mays.
Got to Old trafford at 4pm and wandered round the ground and being bored (and too young to get a drink) went into the ground and soon as the turnstiles opend . Stood next to the tunnel thinking I would get a great view only to be covered in grogs when the Rapid players came out to warm up ! My mullet was covered in it !
Anyway some of my schoolmates went on the Dry Dock/Dolphin bus that left from Psrtick X and I was told that one half of the front windscreen mysteriously fell out as they left Manchester and had to drive back up the road with a coach full of frozen tims.
Big Roy hammered a shot of the post which seemed to rebound up to the halfway line where it was one on one !
Danny McGrain – if you only had been 5 years younger you would have caught him !
I would nveer let my 16 year old go to Manchester on their own now – don’t know how I wrangled it !
One of my best and worst experiences as a Tim – Feckin UEFA
Aye, i remember well queuing outside Virgin for a concert ticket…snaked all the way round to H Samuels on Argyle St. That was my first ever concert. Waterboys as support. I mind Bono throwing cups of water over the crowd as Barrowlands a total sweatshop that night.
The Old Trafford trip – Think Dundee Utd and Ralph Milne were playing an English club tae that night up in Scotland. We were on the train. Oh the good old fitbaw specials…a moving clunking heap of rust, pish smells and pish opinions! On way back up, somehow it stopped at a wee station and I mind some big Celtic bear getting out the carriage and kicking the wee cadburys vending dispenser ( dont even think it classes as a machine!)) right off the wall. It was like VE day for Pensionerbhoy all over again. Fruit & Nut everywhere CSC.
Then back to John Bosco for Maths teacher to ask who hadnt made prelim..2 girls said “Ill” using the old excuse and i said “Manchester”. He just shrugged that “Good for nothing lot” shrug. Hey ho. The Nautical College did Maths much better years later regardless.
Good 3 points yesterday from a standard SPL scrap. We know teams like Thistle will be ‘in our face’ and Lenny is right when he says we can’t expect champagne football every game (every 1 game in 10 would be nice!). Good to see big Amido building up his confidence with another well-taken goal after coming off the bench. Don’t know if I would trust him with a starting berth just yet but he must be in with a shout next week.
Are ‘our boys’ (copyright shitty tubthumping tabloids) in the picture above making the same red haun salootz that fans of Oldco were so fond of? When even staunch Unionists deny this excuse you know they are pissing in the wind or against the nearest Catholic place of worship. Same with the plums with the scarf. Where in Glasgow is Ulster?
Are we going to have to go through the whole poppy thing on the jersey this year again? Or will it just be left to the individual to choose to remember in their own dignified solemn manner? (Take note BBC and Sky)
I’m afraid another barrage of PoppyCOCK is as inevitable as rain in November
Look out for your limited edition ones with a picture of fat Sally in the middle looking solemn. ‘Lest We Forget’ (to pay wur taxes)
Poppy...i found myself grimacing when seeing Pellegrini and Mourinho wearing them in dugouts yesterday. Its the awful mental picture of some Club P.R person saying "Right..here...you have to wear this...cameras are here today!"That’s exactly what it is – PR. It can’t be a total coincidence that the wearing of a poppy (on public mediums such as the TV, not sure about the radio!) has multiplied a thousand fold since the Afghanistan and Iraq debacles (sorry to use such a mild word when dealing with the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and children. Oh, and a couple of hundred soldiers)? Surely the government hasn’t used it’s spin doctors to fool the nation into being all faux concerned over ‘our boys’ rather than the reasons for going into utterly illogical and illegal wars? Wars which ‘our boys’ are well paid for and who no-one forced to sign away their personal liberties in the name of queen and country.
Jon Snow CSC
Thought he was already wearing one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24713731
Me and my mates went to Manchester too, also too young to drink and wandered about the city centre until time to go to the game. I remember the FB that was on the pitch before the game, who were they? James Connolly? Imagine that happening noo? The forces of darkness would be apoplectic!
Guys
as to the poppy thing a good read is
A coward if i return, a hero if i fall.
A great read and very enlightening on the Irish soldiers exerience in WW1 and the expereince of those who survived.
http://www.irishbooksdirect.ie/biography-memoirs-historic-biography/biography-memoirs-historic-biography/a-coward-if-i-return-a-hero-if-i-
Thanks Tony. Reading Sean Fallons biography and his father was one of the thousands who fought and returned home to lets say less than a heroes welcome.
It makes me angry to see such PR stunts as Forces wives, and now we have the “Angels” – 5 people with lives in the forces daughters singing and pleading how “its so hard that Daddy is away from home serving time in the lovely Indian Ocean for months on end”….compared to what the guys went through way back then, oh dont get me started.
Desi. My main gripe against the poppyCOCK – apart from all the jingoistic blackmail & Ministry Of Truth like propaganda surrounding the issue – is the insistence of the right-wing establishment and those mealy mouthed “patriotic” syncophants supporting it, of ramming it down your throat for weeks on end.
FFS Remembrance day is not until 9th November. Why the fork is every man jack/jill on TV and in the public domain forced to wear a silly wee opium bloom for weeks prior to the event?
My granda – a life long socialist born in Ireland – fought & died in WWII against fascism and for the right of future generations NOT to have to cowtow to right wing idealogy. If I choose to not to wear a poppy & deliberately ignore all the PR claptrap surrounding it, I have a democratic right to do so without being labelled as “unpatriotic” or whatever libellous slur these peepil care to throw at me. If , as a – cough – “mark of respect” to my Granda, I choose to stand up for my right NOT to go along with this ridiculous flag waving sham, then I’m sure he’d be 100% behind me.
Thats just went on to my reading list. Cheers, it looks good.